What Happened
August 12, 2008
Bonny’s death came unexpectedly for everyone; our hope is that by sharing the details of her final days her friends will be able to find peace. The same peace that Bonny’s grace provided her family during and after her death.
Bonny had been suffering with headaches for a number of weeks. After the race in Nome, Bonny consulted with her doctor. A blood test indicated severe anemia, which she immediately began treatment for. Even with the treatments, Bonny’s headaches continued. On Saturday, August 2, her doctor advised her to seek treatment at the emergency room. Sunday began as a good day with only a mild headache allowing her to spend a wonderful day with Sam. Towards the evening, she fell and it was obvious something was not right. On Monday, Bonny was admitted to the hospital and underwent an MRI. On Tuesday, the doctor performed an MRI and the unofficial diagnosis was an aggressive, inoperable malignant tumor with three to six months to live.
Upon hearing her diagnosis, Bonny lay peacefully, never shedding a tear. Her deep faith enabled her to release her worries and diagnosis to God. This inherent peace freed her family and friends from a painful sorrow while allowing her to focus her remaining energy on loving those around her. This grace ultimately provided them with some peace in knowing that Bonny was going home.
Thursday morning, the day that Bonny was planning to go home with Sam and family, Sam noticed a change in her. A second MRI was performed and nothing abnormal was found. There was slight bleeding and swelling as is expected with a biopsy. As the day progressed, Bonny lapsed in and out of a deep sleep. Although in terrible pain, she was aware of her loved ones. At one point, she sensed that Luke was nearby and woke up to hug him with kisses and love. At a later point, she woke up and smiled big and beautiful, giving a gentle wave goodbye to her nearby parents. The final time she woke up, she found herself in Sam’s arms. They found themselves kissing like this many times during their years together, only Sam had no idea that it would be his last kiss full of love and goodbyes.
Late afternoon Bonny’s lungs began to fill with fluid. Due to her condition, the family chose not to perform traumatic life saving measures, which at best may have lasted a few days on life support. Thirty minutes after their decision, Bonny peacefully passed on to her new home.
Beautiful blue eyes, glowing complexion and that smile – this is our vision of her. Bonny died as she lived, full of grace. Know that she will always be with each one of us in our hearts and as “active”-ist.
August 13, 2008 at 7:24 am
It was after the news of Bonny’s passing into eternity that I was able to have my daily time with the Lord. A Bible devotional I use called The Daily Bread had for the passage reading that day 1 Corinthians 13, better known as the “Love Chapter”. As I read this scripture, I remembered what a perfect portriat of Christ it presents. Verses 4 through 8 state,’Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteouness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;’ I realized that Jesus was showing me that Bonny reflected His beauty in this way. She lived like a loving meteorite, shining for all to see as she zoomed by. I’m so thankful that God caused her to stop long enough for my brother to catch her and join her on her mission of loving people and life like Jesus does. She indeed ran the race with perseverance, grace and mercy because of the Father’s unfailing love for her, in her and through her to us. I thank God for allowing me to blessed by Bonny’s heart.
Bonny paused to kiss you on one last bridge, Sam, the bridge to everlasting life before she went up the trial to Jesus. She is happily waitiing on the other side of the finish line, knowing that PEACE RULES.
Lovingly you deeply,
Katie Young Nalty (Sam’s sister)
August 18, 2008 at 8:16 am
I knew Bonny since her early days with Healthy Futures. I worked for Anchorage public health and helped support her grant funding for the program. She knew how to get things done. Almost single handedly, Bonny built the Healthy Futures into a sustainable program for young people to participate in physical activity that was fun. I loved working with her and especially her contagious activism for the greater good! I am deeply sorry for the family loss and hope that the program continues with her name sake.
November 23, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I grew up on 25th street in Anchorage with Bonnie living next door. We played together in our backyards for hours with toy plastic horses while her brother and mine played army or made forts in the woods. She was part of my wonderful childhood. I moved to California in the 1980s and didn’t realize all of her accomplishments as an adult. I want her family to know I am thinking of them all. Love, Becky
September 25, 2009 at 10:55 am
I just found out that Bonnie had passed and I am so sorry I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye and share my condolences with the family.
I knew Bonnie mostly from my work downtown and managing the Saturday Market for the Parking Authority. Each year at the Market she would volunteer the Wild About Anchorage Critters for our seasonal opening and children’s parades. Bonnie was always so gracious and kind and I enjoyed spending time talking to her about downtown and the Market’s Kid’s Day. Our Kid’s Day celebrations were awesome and each year I could count on her to help with getting costumes and music.
Bonnie always had a way of making you smile. She was an inspiration and a friend. Great smile, great heart, and definitely will be missed.
To her family and friends, I send my heartfelt condolences.
Bonnie was awesome and gone way too soon!
May God give you peace!