Bonnie Jane Jepson

Some of Bonnie's high school classmates were recently reflecting on their times together. She was unable to attend the recent planning session for a future class reunion.

One recalled her as the, "glad to see you person" ... always helping others and eager to take on more than her share.

Another, happily recalls Bonnie, the drum majorette, during her years at Queen Anne High School. While twirling a baton, she led the band and Grizzly football teams to victory.

I like that image...because for more than sixty years...Bonnie has been our cheerleader, leading a "band" of associates and friends during goodtimes and difficult times.

She lifted the heavy end of the load...

She planned the parties!

Imitating her parents, she loved entertaining a houseful of guests or welcoming a new Perkins lane resident. Her mantra was, no one should be excluded!

It was not a surprise more than 250 emails arrived for her recently. The content of each, possessed rich similarities. Encouragement "that kept me going", notes I've kept for years, prayers that "might" have helped me.

And then one that was special. He writes, "recollection of the time Bonnie became like the family I never had. I was moved from home to home becauseof behavior. She always said I would make it. I did. She was Blaine Hr. High's counselor, but my lifeline from expulsion. She became my stability when I had none outside of school. Everyone should have a Bonnie...and she let me call her that too."

Bonnie was loved...young people were her passion and older ones she gladly assumed caring involvement. She loved coffee, hot fudge sundaes, hamburgers and maountains like Mt. Rainier, Mt. Shasta and the Sawtooth. She wrote about the Oregon Trail. She loved politics, the newspaper and history. She patterned her life by the Bible admonition, "in honor, preferring one another."

There was only one area in which Bonnie recieved a questionable grade! She rarely talked about herself or her accoumplishments.! They were many. She was an educator. Certified counselor. She was a valuable member of the Christa Board of Directors. In 1985, as a counselor/educator she recieved the National Heritage Foundation - "Freedom Award", for her outstanding programs honoring veterans, her abilities to communicate democracy and her events encouraging diversity. She was a member of Allpha Delta Kappa.

It is difficult to process her year and a half in hospitals and treatment, going through endless chemotherapy, tests, and medical disappointments. However, Bonnie never unleashed anger and her humor and indomitable spirit thrived.

In the past few years she's been teaching English to Chinese.

"It was a rebirth of my career days," she shared. "Life did begin at 80 and I was challenged by many students like a retired Bejing Opera Singer or a timid young woman, seeking to find her way with a new language in a new country."

We, her endless "good friends," honor her today and each of us, I am sure, have been touched by her heart, her prayers, unconditional love and enthusiasm for us and our challenges.

Bonnie loved life. She loved Perkins Lane. She was an avid fan of the Mariners and a cheerleader to Edgar and company, even amidst their losses. She was greatly anticipating sitting in the Commissioner of Baseball's box, the next time the Yankees came to town. I suspect heaven's sky box is comparable!

A few moments after Bonnie graduated to heaven, a friend who is a puppy raiser for Guide dogs and dogs for autistic children, called from California. She had just been presented with a seven week old, highly pedigreed golden lab, the dream pick of the professional litters. In an emotional moment, grieving Bonnie's death, she shared with Ruth and Sarah, -- "We named our little golden girl 'Bonnie', who we hope will epitomize her genuine golden lady namesake"

Bonnie has been consistent , compassionate and caring during her eighty-one years. In multiple ways, she re-defined FRIEND.

We will miss you Bonnie, but your legacy to your family and friends is and will remain, apart of our heritage. You demonstrated your implicit trust in God, by life and word, always wrapped in unconditional love. Your pure heart became an endless reservoir of friendship for many.

In closing, I quote a military officer you helped gain entrance into West Point, now serving in Iraq. He wrote, "Bonnie was selfless, spontaneous, high energy and fun. I learned that example isn't one thing, it is everything. She was my model. After twenty-five years, she still remains a symbol of an ever-giving spring of JOY and a consumate Christian."

C.S.Lewis, writing about a personal grief, expressed it well:

"Nothing is lost when you know where it is"

Bonnie has moved to "the land of the living," the dwelling place of God's forever family.

Obituary:

Bonnie J. Jepson,

Seventy-seven year resident of Perkins Lane in Seattle, graduated to Heaven the evening of July 3, 2004. A firm believer that achievement is ageless, she was eighty-one years ?young.?

An educator, certified counselor for multiple years at Catherine Blaine Jr. High she garnered a host of friends and students who never released her from their hearts.

She was a former Board Member of Christa Ministries, and member of Alpha Delta Kappa. She graduated from Queen Anne High School and Seattle Pacific University with continuing education throughout her life. She was one of the original factors in the early organization of Overseas Radio and Television, which originated in Seattle fifty-plus years ago.

Bonnie loved people and the love was returned worldwide. Her priority was her availability to friends and family. She personified joy.

She loved life and loved God. His purposes motivated her loving actions. Her mandate was Biblical, ??In honor preferring one another,? which she did with kindness and grace. Her anticipation in the ?winding down? weeks was clear, ?But, by faith, she looked up and saw God was in control and someday would be with her Lord and beloved family, in the ultimate ?forever family reunion?

She is survived by two sisters, Ruth Jepson and Sarah Coleman of Seattle, WA, and a brother, Alvin Jepson of St. David, PA. All agree a tower has fallen and the landscape of their lives will never be the same.

Graveside services will begin 10am Thurs. July 8, 2004 at Evergreen Memorial Park, Seattle. 206-362-5200.

Rather than flowers that fade, Bonnie requests any remembrances or memorials be sent to Overseas Radio and Television, English or Chinese at the Northwest headquarters. ORTV, Box 118, Seattle, WA 98111-0118.