Bonnie Oates, 83

Eighty-three and half years ago, God blessed humanity with the gift of one of its kindest and sweetest inhabitants. This gift arrived on Jan. 28, 1932, in the form of a baby girl and her name was Bonnie Rea McDonald. Her parents were Kenneth and Annabel McDonald. Bonnie was born in El Paso, Texas, and grew up in Galveston, and later, Abilene, Texas. She attended McMurray College in Abilene and graduated in 1952 with a degree in music. She was accomplished in both piano and organ. That same year, she married Alex N. Oates, who also attended McMurray.

Through the years, Bonnie worked at a few different occupations, in addition to being a homemaker. She was the organist for churches in both Texas and Oklahoma and later became a medical secretary in administration at a large hospital system in Houston, Texas. Bonnie was also an Auxiliary volunteer at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Houston for many years and, later, an Auxiliary volunteer at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene for 15 years, after having moved there with her husband in 1996.

Bonnie was an avid reader and also enjoyed handwork. She knitted beautiful afghans and blankets. She also enjoyed working in the garden.

Bonnie passed away on July 25, 2015, after a prolonged illness. She was loved by all who met her and the world is definitely a little less bright without her. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Alex N. Oates; her daughter, Alexis Oates; son Alan Oates and wife Rebecca; grandson Travis Oates and granddaughter Caroline Oates; as well as many other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, with Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, in care of arrangements. Visit Bonnie's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.