Dorothy B Kaneski

Dorothy Bonzelle Kaneski was born in Corsicana Texas on March 30, 1937 to Ruby and Willard Oakley. At the age of two, Bonnie moved to Kansas City, Missouri and spent the rest of her childhood and young adult life there. She started her training as a ballerina at the age of six. She trained and danced until she was in her 20s, competing in hundreds of competitions and dance recitals.

Her Dad was a mechanic for Transworld airlines which was based in Kansas City. Because of that connection, Bonnie became a flight attendant with TWA. She met her husband, Major James Arnold Kaneski at the wedding of her best friend. He was pilot in the United States Air Force and had flown to Kansas City with many of his friends to attend the wedding. Because of a frost delay and foul weather, he was unable to fly back to the Air Force base in Greenville Mississippi, this twist of fate allowed them to spend an extra day together. They married a few months later. They just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in September 2021. They had six decades of love, adventure and understanding. May we all be so lucky 🍀

Bonnie moved from Kansas City to Mississippi, Alabama then Japan and a few states in between, before settling in Northern California in 1972.

They raised two energetic children, Steve and Kelly. Bonnie was a devoted parent and was always available for her children and her grandchildren, Mason, Aidan and Scarlet. She loved watching them grow and loved being a part of their life! She always felt her life was blessed.

Bonnie enjoyed collecting mice figurines and plates. She even has a miniature mouse Christmas tree. She got a mouse tattoo holding a daisy-the day she started collecting Social Security. Talk about a rebel with a cause. She loved reading or watching a good murder mystery movie. She was also an artist when she was younger, she loved to do the mindfulness coloring books later in life.

Bonnie was always volunteering at the Air Force base hospitals. Then she spent The 1990’s working at a skilled nursing center as the activities director and in her 70’s she was still volunteering; at in the Oncology ward at Kaiser Roseville. She was there every Friday for a decade. When she became ill, it was her daughter’s wish that she be surrounded by family members who loved her, taking care of her. It was time for her family to return the kindness, nurturing and caring that she had given to them throughout their lives. Bonnie woke up every morning with a smile on her face ready to take the day on. She was courageous and she never complained even in the very end. Bonnie passed away peacefully in her home with her husband by her side on January 14, 2022.

Her memorial service was held at Mt Vernon on February 19, 2022 for close family and friends. Followed by a reception and formal dinner at the family home.

Bonnie leaves behind her husband, Jim. Daughter Kelly, 3 grandkids; Mason, Aidan and Scarlet, and daughter-in-law Channa. In addition to her much loved pets, Snuffy and Abby.

Her life was a blessing

Her memory a treasure

She is loved beyond words

and she will be missed beyond measure!!

We will always hold you in our heart, until We can hold you again in heaven!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountVernonMemorial.com for the Kaneski family.