Bonnie Lou Larreau

Bonnie was born in Carlsbad, NM on February 16, 1940 to Ed and Fern (Lewis) Prather. She is survived by her husband Harold McGill, children Virginia Hill, Eddie Hill and wife Jennifer, Rod "Seaux" Larreau and wife Robbie. Siblings Bryan Prather, Penelope Resley and Sandra Templeton. Grandchildren Ollie Schneemann, Zachary Hill, Daniel Hill, and Emily Hill. Great grandchildren Prather and Carter Schneemann. Many loving nieces, nephews, and more cousins than she could count!

The light within our Dell Valley has gotten dimmer with the passing of Bonnie. As one of her friends said upon her passing "she belonged to all of us", our valley will never be the same.

Bonnie was our wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, confidant, encourager and, from time to time, our antagonist, but always with the best of intentions. She was one-of-a-kind. The Lord threw away the mold when he made Bonnie.

Bonnie would be the first to tell you her's was a life filled with grace and mercy. She never claimed to be perfect and never expected it from others. She was honest and plain spoken! Her tongue could be sharp when riled - that's what made her so real - the stuff of legends! She had an amazing intuition for reading and influencing people!

Bonnie had a huge heart, sharp mind and quit wit. She gave freely to those in need. Bonnie was a gifted artist - she painted scenes of our valley, especially the Guadalupe Mountains like no other.

She was a true fighter, a real survivor and over the years she was stricken with maladies that would have done most of us in. This last battle was the toughest and while we prayed and held out hope that she would overcome, it was not to be!

Bonnie left an indelible mark on many lives and her light will continue to shine through our cherished memories. She loved people and they loved her!

The best of times and the worst of times were celebrated in her world renowned Sheepherder's bar. This little corner of the world, a trip back in time, where Bonnie would entertain, counsel (and occasionally chew out) those who loved her most, has turned out the lights... "Time to go home all you turd heads" ... Not an insult, quite the contrary, it was her favorite term of endearment. If she called you turd head you knew she cared about you.

Dell Valley will NEVER be the same, but we were so blessed by this enlightened matriarch, a unique icon whose legacy will be fondly remembered for generations to come.

We will come together next spring in Dell City to celebrate Bonnie's extraordinary life. In the mean time, treat each other with kindness, and remember to leave the world better than you found it... Just like Bonnie did.