Bonita Mae Shook

Bonita Mae Shook, 87, passed away at 7:40 PM, August 13, 2017, at Brookdale Boise Parkcenter in Boise, Idaho after battling cancer for over 2 years.

Bonita (Bonnie) was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lewiston, Idaho on October 18, 1929 to Avon and Irene Berry. Her ancestors traveled on one of the last wagon trains to the California gold rush, then continued to Idaho homesteading near Peck, Idaho. Bonnie grew up on a farm on the Camas prairie and walked each day to the local schoolhouse. At age 12 she moved to Lewiston with her family and worked at the local movie theater during her high school years. After graduation she attended Washington State University in Pullman, Washington studying Business Administration.

Bonita was employed at Twin City Foods as a bookkeeper and then at the Lewiston Motor Company where she met her husband Donal Shook. They were married in the Episcopal Church of the Nativity where Bonnie became a member. She and Don were charitable supporters of the Shriner’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington and also the Episcopal Church. Bonnie enjoyed raising her two daughters Sandra and Caroline, gardening, playing bridge, rock-hounding and attending jewelry shows. She designed and manufactured fine jewelry with Australian opals, Idaho star garnets and Montana sapphires, collaborating with heirloom jewelry designer, Karl Stittgen, from Canada whom she met during the family’s many travels to British Columbia. A staunch supporter of the Republican Party, she tirelessly volunteered for over 35 years on campaigns for both local and state candidates and at the voting polls. Always up-to-date with politics and world affairs, she loved a lively debate on those topics.

In 2004, Bonnie moved to Pacific Palisades, California to be near her growing family and to help raise her granddaughter and joy of her life, Emily Hall. Bonnie spent countless hours teaching and loving Emily and was so proud of all that Emily has accomplished.  As an animal lover, Bonnie found a King Charles Cavalier named Andy for Emily that the whole family adores. Bonnie also attended Calvary Church of Pacific Palisades and supported Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Making new friends, hosting bridge games, and visiting the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library were her other favorite activities.

Bonita was an elegant, kind, hardworking and caring woman.  She loved engaging in great conversation, always making sure her friends and family were comfortable, and sharing wisdom whenever possible.   Bonita has shared many of her gifts with her loved ones including her appreciation of fine jewels as well as her culinary expertise.  Her daughters have carried on her legacy of beautiful and artful entertaining.  Her granddaughter Emily carries on her love of animals and music as a violin player.  Bonita’s love for her family was unconditional and grand.

Her final two years were spent in Boise, Idaho. She is survived by her daughter Sandra LS Fery (J. Brent) of Boise, Idaho; her daughter Caroline Hall (Kimball) and their daughter Emily in Pacific Palisades, California.

Special thanks to the staff and volunteers at Brookdale in Boise and to the St. Luke’s Hospice Team.

A graveside service will be held at the Normal Hill cemetery in Lewiston, Saturday August 26th, at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Shriner’s Hospitals for Children — Spokane, 911 W. 5th Ave. Spokane, WA 99204 or to St. Luke’s Hospice, 325 West Idaho Boise, ID 83702.