My Mothers Life
08/12/2008
Bonita (Bonnie) Marie Richardson March 19, 1932- April 28, 2008
She died on April 28, 2008, at age 76. The cause of death was cryptogenic liver failure. She was born Bonnie Marie Barnes on March 19,1932, in Portland, attended Washington High School in Portland and then graduated early from Newberg High School. She also attended George Fox College, Reed College, the Portland Museum Arts School and Clackamas Community College.
She was an artist, poet and writer and was employed by Milwaukie’s Dutch Cupboard Deli in the 1970s, as well as by various Old Town shops and businesses.
She spent most of her childhood living with her aunt Vernie Little, and her grandmother Annie May Barnes, on Lake Road in Milwaukie.
Married in Portland, she and her family lived briefly in Bandon, then moved to Milwaukie where she and her husband, Donald Ray Richardson, resided at the former general store located at the Evergreen Trolley Stop on Park Avenue.
In 1959, they moved to Helena Street in Milwaukie where they built an Asian-inspired house together. In 1964, they moved to a new home in the Cedar Crest housing development in Milwaukie.
The family moved to Colton in 1973. In the late ’70s, they returned to Portland, to reside in the Buckman neighborhood.
She was on the Tucker Maxon Oral School fundraising committee (1960s), had an independent water color art showat Ledding Library (1968), was published in Guidepost Magazine(1971-2), was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society - CCC, was published in various literary magazines, had independent art shows in Portland and Lincoln City, was a blue and champion ribbon winner for her paintings at the Clackamas County and Oregon State Fairs, had a Book Arts display and world tour of her handmade books in Wexford,England.
Her youngest great-granddaughter, 17-month-old Gioia (Joya), flew all the way from Itri, Italy, to meet her great-grandmother for the first time, four days before she died.
She is survived by: husband, Donald Ray Richardson; daughter, Daphne Anne; sons, Christopher Robbin, Laird Ian, Steffan Leif, Forrest Craig, and Sean Vincent Adam; son-in-law Dennis Rice; daughters-in-law, Rosalia Cognilio Richardson, Taffy Richardson and Dotty Richardson; cousin, Betty Mowery;10 grandchildren; and fivegreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: father, Harvey Morton Barnes; mother, Valli Esther Brewer; stepfather, Alan (Uncle Burt) Burton Compton; and grandmother, Annie May Barnes.
A family Celebration of Life was held on May 4,2008, in Colton. Remembrances may be sent to: Northwest Medical Team (Medical Teams International www.nwmedicalteams.org <http://www.nwmedicalteams.org/>), Oregon Public Broadcasting, or Providence Hospital Passage Quilt Program: Heart to Hand, Inc., 412 Beavercreek Road, Suite 607, OregonCity, OR 97045.
Arrangements: Family Memorial Services.
Newport News (Obituary)
08/12/2008
Bonita M. Richardson
Former Newberg resident Bonita Marie "Bonnie" Richardson died April 28, 2008, at her Portland home. She was 76.
She was born March 19, 1932, in Portland to Harvey and Valli (Brewer) Barnes. She graduated from Newberg High School in 1949. She attended George Fox University, as well as Reed College and the Portland Museum Art School. She married Donald Ray Richardson on June 5, 1953.
A writer and artist, her watercolors and acrylics won awards in the Clackamas County and Oregon State fairs, while her stories and poetry were published in various literary journals.
She worked at the Dutch Cupboard Deli in Milwaukie, various Old Town shops in Portland, Sinclair's Fine Arts, and was a volunteer art teacher at Linwood Elementary and Benson High Schools in Portland.
She also served on the fund-raising committee for the Tucker Maxon Oral School, and as a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girls Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother.
Survivors include: husband Donald of Portland; sons, Christopher of Dubai, U.A.E., Laird of Colton, Steffan of Portland, Forrest of Colton and Sean of Portland; daughter Daphne Anne Rice of Portland; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A family memorial, dedicating "Bonnie's Garden," was held May 4 in Colton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Medical Teams, Oregon Public Broadcasting or Providence Hospice.
