Bonnie Brain Murphy

Bonnie Brain Oettli Murphy… just repeat Bonnie’s full name and let it wash over you… and just randomly think about the emotions and experiences you had with Bonnie in the different chapters of her life and your lifetime. Bonnie was independent, loved to laugh, and was always up to enjoy a new challenge and adventure, Bonnie was a life-long learner.

Bonnie wore many hats…. Bonnie was a fashion plate and loved dressing for the part, probably following in the footsteps of her father, Bud (Melvin) Brain, a haberdasher as Bonnie referred to him. (Bud’s Duds) Bonnie Brain was born at W. H. Groves LDS Hospital, in Salt Lake City, on April 10, 1941. Bonnie’s early years were on 4th Avenue (SLC) and in elementary school, Bonnie moved to Canyon Way in Millcreek (SLC), where she lived her growing-up-year with her siblings (Jan, Carolyn, MaryAnn, Robert.) Early on, the Oettli family learned to enjoy good food. Bonnie was a cook and enjoyed cooking, but always recognized that her chef hat came from her mother, Nana Nell. Nell (Haycock) Brain was a cook and seamstress to beat the best.

Attending the University of Utah and becoming a sister in the Tri Delta Sorority was where Bonnie Brain met many of her lasting and life-long friends. Wearing her graduation cap, Bonnie Brain graduated from the U with a degree in Education, and soon after, Bonnie Brain donned a wedding veil and married Gordon Oettli. Bonnie Brain Oettli and Gordon Oettli raised three boys at the Oettli family residence on Meadow Moor Lane (Geoffrey (deceased), Jonathan (Jennifer}, and Adam (Amanda.)

When Adam was in his upper elementary grades, Bonnie Brain Oettli put her teaching hat on and became Teacher of the Year at Cottonwood Elementary School, but Bonnie Brain Oettli was always a sun worshiper, and after divorcing Gordon, she put her sun bonnet on and moved to Phoenix, married a full Phoenician, Bill (William) Murphy, and continued to be rewarded as Teacher of the Year at Hopi Elementary School and, finally, Cochise Elementary School.

“Mrs. Murphy” was an excellent teacher and created a classroom filled with rigor and challenge. Bonnie Brain Oettli Murphy’s greatest strength as an educator was teaching her students the process of good writing. Bonnie was an excellent writer herself.

In retirement, Bonnie and Bill divorced. Bonnie’s Night Cap was reading and writing. In a published piece of her writing, Bonnie said, “I wonder when any of us decide how to accept the aging process? For years, I thought this won’t happen to me. I have a young outlook. I am a gym rat. I walk my dogs daily (Xian, Rosie, Scout, Mollie.) I can do anything I decide to do. But this is no longer true. The hiking I do now is tamer and I do not have the stamina I once had. I run out of breath sooner and I tire more easily.”

Bonnie took her last breath on Friday, October 3, 2025, in her North Phoenix Assisted Living Senior Home, where Bonnie was referred to as “Sweet Miss Bonnie.” Take a deep breath yourself and celebrate the life of Bonnie Brain Oettli Murphy.

We contain multitudes - Walt Whitman