Bonnie Shanks

Born in Oceanside, CA, on August 4th, 1952, Bonnie discovered a love for art at a young age - from sketching in the margins of notebooks to creating beautiful canvases that brought smiles to many faces. Working with paints, charcoal, and clay, she had a gift for seeing beauty in the ordinary and with the stroke of her hand, making it extraordinary.

As a passionate traveler, Bonnie explored Europe, the Middle East, Africa and beyond – she was not only drawn to the varying landscapes, but to the different cultures. She found a connection in every place she visited, in every person she met, and felt challenged by the many languages she encountered on her journeys with a deep desire to master those languages. Bonnie was fluent in French and was very close to mastering both written and spoken Arabic.

A follower of Zen philosophy and the teachings of Buddha, Bonnie sought stillness in the midst of movement. She embraced learning and gaining wisdom through meditation and interactions with those she met through these experiences. Her life was a quiet practice in mindfulness marked not by possessions, but by presence.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Rose Shanks, and her older brother, Dennis. She is survived by her brother Jim and wife Audrey; 3 nieces (Amy Estes, Deborah Brown, and Emily Shanks); her cousins Linda Griesback and husband Pete and Beverly Schuster and husband Mike; several great nieces and one great nephew; as well as a close circle of friends and fellow travelers.

Her journey has ended and eternal life has begun. Bonnie will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held on August 1st, 1pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX 78731. Reception to follow.

Memorial donations may be made online at https://appamada.org/contribute or by mail to Appamada, 913 E. 38th Street, Austin, TX 78705. Please include “in memory of Bonnie Shanks”.