Mona Haenni de Bons
Mona Haenni de Bons (April 20, 1904 - May 2, 1991) was a Swiss Bahá’í who served as a National Spiritual Assembly and Auxiliary Board member helping to develop the Bahá’í community of Switzerland.
Biography[edit]
Haenni's parents were among the earliest Bahá’ís of Switzerland and she was the first Swiss person to be born into a Bahá’í family. In 1906 her family moved to Egypt to live near ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and she met Him in her infancy receiving an autographed photograph from Him. In 1917 the family returned to Switzerland.[1]
In 1925 Mona married Maurice Haenni in Geneva and they had a daughter, Ariane. She was an active member of the Swiss Bahá’í community as it began to develop in the 1950's serving on the countries Archives Committee, Translation Committee, and the Committee of the Swiss Bahá’í Journal, as well as serving on the Local Spiritual Assembly of Geneva.[2]
Haenni was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy and Switzerland in 1958 and served until 1962 when she was elected to the inaugural independent National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland. She attended the First International Convention in Haifa in 1963 as a member of the Swiss Assembly and shortly after the Convention she was appointed to the Auxiliary Board for Europe being among the first Auxiliary Board members assigned jurisdiction specifically over Switzerland and part of France.[2]
Haenni continued to serve as an Auxiliary Board member into the early 1970's and in 1972 she pioneered from Geneva to Sion. She went on pilgrimage with her daughter in 1974.[2] She remained in Sion until shortly before her passing in 1991. The Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after her passing:
"Grieved learn passing dearly loved Mona Haenni de Bons. Her stalwart, distinguished services to the Cause of Baha’u’llah in Switzerland over so many years enrich annals Faith that land, constitute worthy continuation historic achievements her noble parents. Praying Holy Shrines progress her radiant soul Abhá Kingdom. Convey sympathies bereaved family."[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1998). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 20 (1986-1992), Pg(s) 1010. View as PDF.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1998). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 20 (1986-1992), Pg(s) 1011. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1998). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 20 (1986-1992), Pg(s) 1010. View as PDF.
