One of my earliest memories is of sitting cross-legged in the barn at the house where she grew up, playing with kittens with Bonnie.  I was probably 3 or 4.  Bonnie helped me pick out my first cat – a kitten of one of her cats – which we named Snowball (all white).  I took it home with me to California.  What was not to love about Bonnie?  I idolized her; she was a real-life fairy princess:  she loved cats and all animals, she conversed with beautiful horses, she was kind to me, and she was absolutely gorgeous.   

Just so you know, all of you Plunkett cousins were celebrity idols to me:  Ron, the dashing future-pilot and businessman; Dianne, the horse show queen; Larry the teen rock star.   Everything about visiting or staying at your house was a kid-centric blast:  Horses!  Ducks in a pond!  Trampoline!  Barn!  Tree House!  Juke box!  Candy! Rope swing into the HighLine!  Costumes!  Parties!  (everything about ) Ming! …  And smart, fun, interesting, beautiful, older cousins!  Balanced with the awe-inspiring majesty of Bob riding a gorgeous Tennessee Walker, which was almost a religious experience. 

Bonnie supervised excursions to the canal, the pond, and the barn in our earliest days of visits.   She watched fireworks with me on the 4th of July, after teaching me how to excel at the watermelon-seed-spitting contest.  She taught me to ride a pony, and let me play with her plastic horses.  She taught my daughter Emily how to ride a pony years later, and then brought out Leslie's  ‘My Little Pony' figures and got down on the floor to show them to Emily.  

Bonnie took such good care of Ming, and was so generous about giving my parents status updates and opening her home for their visits.  Ming inherited the “Manny gene” of playful happiness … and passed it on to Bonnie, who kept it alive for many of us in the family.  Bonnie epitomized Manny's notion of “sweet and loving”. 

Thank you to all the Plunketts and Millers who shared Bonnie with her extended family.  She was a treasured cousin in a family of wonderful cousins.

I met Bonnie in 1962 at Loretto Heights.  We lost touch until the last few years and this summer we were going to get together.  Instead I attended her Memorial Service.  I loved hearing about her life and seeing her beautiful family.  Love and prayers.

I didn't know Bonnie but I know her brother Ron and wife Patti. Since they both have such good hearts for people, I would expect Bonnie to be the same. 

From her picture, Bonnie looks peaceful both inside and out. Where there is inner peace, outer beauty follows. I am sure Bonnie touched many lives and made them better for her presence in them. Passing is but a doorway to the future. Down the road, she will be waiting to touch your lives again.

I met Bonnie through my niece Julie. She and Leslie were best friends. While I didnt know Bonnie well, here eyes sparkled and she always had a smile on her face. Bonnie and her horses.  You will be missed.

What a wonderful neighbor.  Bonnie always had a warm smile and generous greeting.  We will miss her very much.

I first met Bonnie when we were both twelve years old and she rode into our driveway in Greenwood Village on her horse, Lady, selling Girl Scout cookies.  We went to junior high and high school and rode horses together for the next few years.  Bonnie and I attended our Littleton High School 50 year class reunion together last August.

Bonnie was a wonderful, warm and generous friend. She was so loved and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

During our early days Bonnie was pretty much my only playmate (referred to as the Bonnie and Ronnie gang).  In Evergreen we played by swinging as high as we could and later, saw how fast we could run across the mountain to the old Ghost Town to play.  On 309 Jackson we had a fun backyard with a teepee and doll house (with shutters) to play in and when we moved to Madison we saved our chore money and got fat tire Schwinn bikes and would thump until after dark across Ms. Iliff's uneven sandstone sidewalks.  We rode the city bus to St. Vincent's (and music lessons) together.  During the Madison Street years our Dad bought King, a strawberry roan Tennessee Walking horse and Bonnie instantly fell in love with horses.  We'd trek on our bikes East to the Huntington Stables (E Iliff & Emporia - about 8 miles round trip and Evans was dirt E of CO Blvd back then – no I25) so that we could ride King.  Some pretty good treks for 8 and 10 year olds, but Bonnie loved it and would want to go anytime we could – she loved all critters.

Then Dianne and Larry came along and we moved to Greenwood Village.  Ming still drove Bonnie and me 17 miles twice a day to St. Vincent de Paul School until Bonnie started Jr. High at Grant in Littleton.  That split us up school wise for a couple of years, then on the same bus again (or my Cushman Eagle) for her last year at LHS (‘62).  Being the oldest two kiddos, there were a lot of tasks we joined together to get done in those building years of Garden Avenue – moving irrigation sprinkler pipes around 6 acres every day, cleaning stalls and corrals, feeding critters, and an occasional special project, like building rabbit hutches or a tree house.  Bonnie was always there (especially if horses or critters were involved), but could then shower up and be a little (big haired) princess quite quickly.  I remember times when we were supposed to be babysitting (while living in the barn), but would go out in the dark and gallop the horses around the coral bareback (without bridles) – then jump off our horses through a barn window when we saw lights coming down the road.  And of course, we'd then pretend to be fast asleep.  

Ming used to tell us ‘you can do anything if you do it fast enough' and I always think of Bonnie when I remember that.  Bonnie used to want to run with 20 foot sprinkler pipes in order to get done faster, add another step onto the ladder to build the tree house higher and pedal as fast as possible to get somewhere quicker.  We had an old upright piano in the barn and Bonnie was doing sets for a Littleton High School play and wanted to load the piano into a horse trailer and take it to the high school for a prop.  She'd asked for help, but by the time we'd finished our meal she'd already managed to lift and load that thing all by herself – and I know it was heavy.  We later gave it to Mingo, Dad's great friend and horseshoer and it fell through his floor into his basement.  

Bonnie helped lead the Girl Scouts and entertain my Cub Scouts and the 4-H kiddos.  Bonnie and Ming would organize tractor (beet) wagon rides and have me pulling kids around until we'd run out of gas.  Then from nowhere she and Ming would show up with donuts and juice.  She'd train Midnight and let us all ride her to win Little Britches' trail and barrel events, and invite all the boys over to try to ride Cracker Jack, her pony that would put his head between his legs and buck everyone off – except her.  And she'd help Dad by saving cars.  We had terrible muddy roads to trek in and out on and Ming managed to burn up several Plymouth and Dodge wagon transmissions getting stuck in the mud.  Bonnie would hold her nose and yell for Ming to stop, that the tires were on fire – then we'd walk home before burning up another tranny.  

Bonnie met Jim in Grand Lake while working at Humphries Drug Store one Summer and started her own family, but continued to be helpful to her Mom, Dad and family.  She'd help Dianne out, was a super nurse and caregiver for Ming and kept the Plunketts and Millers going with exciting family activities and parties forever!  Ming's life was extended by the lovingness of Bonnie and Jim, and Bonnie managed to take the Manny and Ming matriarchal heritage to the next level(s).  

I got to spend more time than since our childhood years with Bonnie during the last couple of years and enjoyed discussing old memories and friends.  Bonnie was creative and artistic and would work tirelessly on her iPad collecting pictures and on the internet documenting her family's history.  Ming joked about all the hats she'd designed and more importantly worn - Bonnie took over all of those and many new ones.  

It's sad and unfair that Bonnie drew the inescapable “C” (pancreatic cancer) card.  She'd lived a holistic clean life without smoking, drugs or alcohol, lived with her family and critters in the fresh country air and juiced more than anyone I've known, but was still unlucky. She gave so much to so many - it just doesn't seem right. Late last year Bonnie had been after me to get my 5 Wishes updated and the shingles vaccination after Ming's excruciating pain, then called me again two days later – not feeling the least bit sorry for herself – to tell me her stomach ache she'd told me about was the worst possible thing, pancreatic cancer.  She expressed that she'd expected and hoped for the longevity Ming and Manny had enjoyed, but never complained and really didn't want others to know or feel sorry for her.  Who could have imagined we'd lose our three ladies in 13 months, especially Bonnie?

Bonnie, the world's a much better place, thanks to you and the family you've brought into this world – and extended families and critters you've also nurtured and entertained.  We're heartbroken you had to leave us.

Your bro,
Ronnie

When Bonnie's mother Ming, passed the family creative torch to her, she welcomed it gladly and included us in many of her fun filled family gatherings.  She was always so warm and loving and made everyone feel so welcome.  She will be missed so much by everyone who knew her.
 Bev and Rick Madden

Bonnie was so creative and fun.  I still enjoy looking at the pictures of  Ming's 90th birthday when Bonnie had all of Ming's kids, grandkids and even great-grandkids entertain in their storybook costumes.  Even Ming was Raggedy Ann. It was a  memorable day for everyone who was there.
We all will  miss Bonnie's smile, her hospitality, her love of family - everything about her.
   Sharps

I met the Miller family when I moved to Littleton from Denver in third grade.  Bonnie's daughter, Leslie and I were best friends and shared every single class in school from third grade until high school when we occasionally had separate classes :).  

We spent so many summer days out on the Miller's tramp and hanging out with the horses, at the pools, on vacations, giving pony lessons.  Bonnie and Jim were my "second parents." I'll never forget Bonnie's incredible energy and positive outlook.  And how she used to run (literally) all over the house doing things, and then dump the all the silverware into a giant drawer without ever sorting it. Her sweet voice, gentleness and laughter. There are so many memories that I will always hold dear to my heart.  I will miss her presence so much.  

To all of the Miller family, my very deepest condolences. I'm still so shocked.  Though it's not much, may this candle and these words help to fill the void.

Like for many, Bonnie's caring and fun personality always made me feel like one of the family (which was especially comforting to me after moving here and leaving most of my family half-way across the country in 1999 - and fortunately becoming friends with Casey soon after).  I always think of her as the perfect mom, not just because she raised 3 amazing kids, but just being around her made you feel like you were loved.  She, along with the entire Miller family are some best people I have met in my life, and I'm deeply saddened for their loss.  I am however, very grateful in having the privilege to know Bonne (and experience how she can host one heck of a birthday party).  Casey's new baby Noelle won't get the chance to grow up with Bonnie, but I know she'll have the greatest parents in the world - they learned from the best.

Bonnie and I were classmates at Littleton High School.   I will always remember her "happy go lucky" smile.  Please accept my sympathies.

The Plunketts were our neighbors on S. Colorado Blvd. Bonnie, Donna Stewart and I spent many hours riding our horses along the Highline Canal. Each day was an adventure and we enjoyed every minute of it. She was well loved and shall be missed by all.

Aunt Bonnie, along with my Grandma Ming, made every holiday so fun and memorable.  They both were masters of putting on the best themed parties; for example, Bonnie made a camping themed party for my Dad's birthday because he enjoys the outdoors.  

We were all shocked when we found out that she had cancer.  She was in great health her whole life and always had an amazing amount of energy.  Through her illness, never once did I hear her complain, she always remained optimistic and positive.  

We will all miss Aunt Bonnie.  I will miss her smile, her voice, her upbeat attitude, and her supportive and gentle demeanor.

 Our cousin Bonnie was known to everyone for her selfless caring and generosity.  We had many good times as children growing up together.  She will not be forgotten but will be missed.

So sorry to hear this news...Please accept my sympathy.

Bonnie, my cousin, was a few months older than me. We were the siamese twins in our family circus. We had to walk in unison (like a 3-legged race), in our grandmother's dress. I grew tall. She stayed short (like our grandmother). Peace on your journey, Bonnie.

I've known Bonnie for over 40 years.  We were friends with her and Jim.   We have alot of fond memories of her and how kind and generous she was.   She will be greatly missed.  She and the Miller family will continue to be in our prayers.

I have many fond memories of Bonnie, including how generous she was with her time driving us to places we wanted to go to as kids, always with a smile, but mostly I'll remember her for just how genuinely nice she was.  She also made the best Blueberry pancakes ever! Jake Fleck

Bonnie tought me how to ride a horse.  She made a wonderful impact on my life. She will not be forgotten.

My friendship with the Plunkett family started when I was 11 as a penpal of Dianne.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time.  Memories of visiting Ming, Bob and Dianne and meeting family members are very special.  Susan Cochrane, Nowra, NSW Australia

My heart breaks for Bonnie.  I went to grade school with Bonnie and we stayed friends.  I will miss her so much.  She was the kindest person with so much joy in her voice.  She always spoke about her kids and Jim and how good all of you have been to her.  My prayers for your family.
Cheryl Norton Lewark

My condolences go out to the family and her friends.  I count myself blessed to have known her since grade school, then in high school.  She reconnected with me through Facebook and my daughter.  She was a really wonderful person and will be greatly missed, especially her uplifting emails, and of course, her friendship.

I met Bonnie in 1962 at Loretto Heights College. We were suite mates and
we clicked and have remaied 'forever friends.' Her Family adopted me while in CO; and influenced numerous memorable experiences ! In Winter, I recall a fantasy snowride in a horse driven sleigh with the moon shining on us and Bells ringing out !!!!  Bonnie was named the Best Dressed Freshman and she was indeed!!!!  He soft strength and tangible lovliness will be cherished always with great love.  Anne Gentile New York

My sympathy to her family.  I was 4-H friends with Bonnie in the 1950's.  I will miss keeping touch with her.  Maribeth Simon Clark

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Bonnie Kay Miller

13 août 1944 – 26 mai 2013

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Chapel Hill

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