Wilma Bonella

Wilma, better known to her friends as “Willie”, age 79, joined her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 5, 1937 to William Paul and Ella May (Albertson) Hight in Oak Creek, CO. She attended grade school in Burns, CO with a total school enrollment of 18 students, 16 being cousins. After moving to Collbran, CO and living on a cattle ranch she graduated from Plateau Valley School and then attended Mesa College.

While attending Mesa College, Wilma met and married the love of her life, John Joseph Bonella. They were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church on March 2, 1957 sharing 60 wonderful years. They raised two children, Mark (Ranaee) Bonella and Pam (Rick) Hensley. Her true passion was helping to raise her five grandchildren. She lives on through her grandchildren Keena (Landon) West, Nick Hensley, Sarah Hensley, Brianna Bonella, Keanna Bonella, and great-grandson, Hudson West. While living in Grand Junction, CO, Wilma worked as a medical assistant for Dr. Marasco, as a secretary for Union Carbide, and as the regional manager for Fashion Two Twenty Cosmetics receiving many awards for outstanding salesmanship. Hobbies included water and snow skiing, traveling, reading, and most importantly, golf, where she was president of the Bookcliff Ladies’ Club for three years.

Celebration of her life will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grand Junction, CO on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. The family encourages donations be made in Wilma’s name to HopeWest & Hospice, 3090 North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO, 81506.