She was Bonnie Elisabeth Burke Figueroa Hulse O’Kelley. And she was magical.
She was so clever. Irreverent. Didn’t judge. Loved her family and friends fiercely. Always wanted to help. Called all the time.
She loved ghost stories and the Marine Corps and all things Oakland.
Bonnie spent her adult life married to the Marine Corps, 17 years as a Marine wife, then 20 years as a civilian employee, and always as a supporter.
She graduated from Oakland High School in 1965. She worked for years in newspaper advertising, including at the Desert Dispatch from 1980 to 1987, then worked for military criminal investigators in Barstow until her retirement in 2008.
Bonnie was born April 10, 1947, in Albany, Calif., and grew up in her beloved Oakland. She died in her sleep Jan. 7, 2015, in Barstow. She was 67.
She is in Heaven with Rick, her mom and dad, her brother Tom and so many friends.
Bonnie is survived by son Danny (and Maribel); son Scott (and Christy); daughter Teri (and Shawn); grandkids Fernando, Marcos, Gary, Mason, Mariah, Jelissa, Nathan, Zack, Trevor and Chase; brother Mike (and Teri) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday [Jan 16, 2015] at First Baptist Church, 1320 Barstow Road
Patricia Lobdell (Ballesteros)
I have wonderful memories of Bonnie while she was writing her Newsletter. We had a wonderful conversation about kids, marriage, careers ..... It was like no time had past. We had a beautiful re-connection. God Bless her heart. I know she's with her love. Peace be yours Bonnie.
James Robinson Sutherlin
Like others, I was shocked by the suddenness and deeply saddened to learn of Bonnie's death. I remember her being the driving force behind our 'off' year (36th!) reunion. I have especially fond memories of that time, as we all reconnected on our 'food crawl' and later that evening, at the main event. Bonnie had a wonderful sense of humor! She was so full of life and fun. My wife, born and raised in another state, who never walked the halls of OHS, came away from that event with a new friend. While I very much look forward to catching up with old friends from '65 at this year's reunion, and I know others have passed since the last one, Bonnie is probably the one I will miss the most. My condolences to her three children - I grieve their great loss.
Diane Patterson (Goult)
I am still in shock and so deeply saddened about Bonnie's sudden passing. She was such a dear, dear friend. My mind is flooded with so many wonderful memories of all the fun times and crazy adventures we had together.
I talked with Bonnie for several hours a couple of weeks ago and was again reminded how much she cared about each and every one of us. She had the biggest, kindest heart of anyone I have ever met. She will live on in our hearts forever.
Philip Dwaine Nelson
Dear Bonnie,
I will miss you, GREATLY! We grew up together at Glenview school, we sat in class next to each other and Grechen Lurch. We loved each others company.You were always such a beautiful person inside and out. We went to McChesny together and graduated from OHS together. We kept in touch in emails and OHS reunions, I loved you and your wonderful spirit & friendship so much! I am deeply sorry to hear of your passing, because I was looking forward to seeing you at our 50th! reuion for OHS! My tears are fowing and my heart is burdoned with your passing. My heart goes out to your family and pray that God will be with you and them.
Love and Bleesings,
Phil Nelson
Diana Makower (Warshawsky)
My sincere condolences to Bonnie's friends and especially to the family she held so dear. Bonnie was a real inspiration in the way that she faced adversity with an abundance of humor and bold determination. Her newsletters were the BEST and I miss hearing from her.
Beverly Shulster (Beiman)
We will miss you so much at the reunion. You were so looking forward to seeing old friends again and we were looking forward to seeing you. We thought we'd go on forever, didn't we. Rest in Peace, Bonnie.
Michael Shefrin
Bonnie called me when I was my sickest and we had several very nice phone calls. Don't know how she found out I was sick, or how she got my phone number! But she reached out and touched my life. We are friends on Facebook. I thank goodness for my blessings, Bonnie was part of that which has blessed me.
Henry Joseph Huen
I am saddened the lost of a classmate, Bonnie was a wonderful person with an unique sense of humour, she will definitely be miss. Rest in peace my friend.
Connie Vrettos (Khanachet)
I too was deeply saddened to hear of Bonnie's passing. I have such fond memories of her in various classes in high school. She was always so fun and bubbly, and such a good person. I still have some of her newsletters on my computer (believe it or not!), and I was happy that I could go back and read some of her posts, and stories. They were always so funny and full of news. She really worked hard to keep us all in touch.I send my condolences to her kids and grandkids, and to all her family,I know they will miss her, like everyone else will.
Gary Tucker
Sad to hear she has passed; catching up on the board here is bitter-sweet, she had such great energy for all things Oakland. I remember going to Carol Klaser's folks bakery in the Diamond, she gave her cookies to me because I ate mine so fast, she said " you look like you need these ". great observation form another grade schooler.
You will be missed at the reunion BB !