Bonnie Elizabeth Tuckerman Alvy, born July 3, 1948, was very proud to have been raised in Great Falls, Montana, one of five children born to Nellie and Emerson Tuckerman. Bon was the middle child among Lanell, Randy, Gayla and Casey. Bonnie loved growing up in Great Falls and spending the summers with cousins on the family ranch in South Dakota. She was part of the first graduating class at Charlie Russell HS in 1966, moving on to Yankton College in South Dakota where she met Harvey Alvy and began a 60 year adventure of love as an educator, wife, aunt, friend and beloved mother to Rebecca Elizabeth. Bonnie graduated from Great Falls College in 1970 and received her MS in Guidance and Counselor from U of M in 1981. As an aunt to nieces and nephews in Montana and the east coast, and friend to all, Bonnie spread the love. To Bonnie’s friends she was that “special” confidant who could be trusted to provide meaningful advice and comfort. Lincoln, Montana, was Bon’s happy place, where she was the “boss, mother, aunt and friend” to everyone who enjoyed the family cabin in Circle City.

As educators, Bonnie and Harvey worked in New York, Montana, and Washington State and abroad in Zaire, Israel, India and Singapore. (Her greatest educational challenge was in India, during the 1994-95 school year when nieces Mary and Lindsay joined Rebecca to cause mayhem on the campus—and off campus—at the American Embassy School in Delhi.) Wherever she lived Bonnie instantly made a home, it was always about bringing love to a place. Adjusting to a new setting was never an issue because the excitement of the new adventure and friendships made it all worth it. For example, Bonnie was comfortable on the rumbling subways of New York City, trekking in the Himalayas, riding elephants in India, and driving a little recklessly on the gravel roads of Lincoln’s Stemple Pass. Bonnie was a gifted music teacher and school counselor. Bonnie and Harvey were privileged to have an overseas educational career because Bonnie was highly recruited due to being able to teach band, orchestra and chorus. Thus they were hired for their first overseas post because of Bonnie’s talents (“We’ll find a social studies position for that husband of yours. What is his name?”). Besides majoring in violin and piano, Bon could play about 10 other instruments, and, could repair them all! Students and colleagues loved spending time with Bonnie, her presence brought comfort, trust and wisdom to everyone. Bonnie’s life served as an example of how to treat each individual one meets; she inspired Harvey, Rebecca, and her family and friends to do better each day, and treat everyone with grace. Bonnie’s personal example is the greatest gift and legacy that she has passed on to Rebecca.

Bonnie worked hard throughout her life, beginning with her first job as a teenager with Montana Photo in Great Falls! Again, Bonnie’s talents got someone else a job—Casey was hired because he was Bonnie’s brother! She was grateful for a life that brought so much love. Bonnie also showed great courage as she battled severe breast cancer in 2005 and later Alzheimer’s and pancreatic cancer. During her health battles Bonnie always focused on her life’s purpose, devotion to Harvey, Rebecca, and as she said every day, “family and friends.” Bonnie’s family will always be grateful to Cancer Care Northwest; the Spokane Deaconess ER division doctors, nurses and staff; and her incredible caregiver during her final months, Trinity Pablo. Bonnie, Rebecca and Harvey have always thrived on the love of “family and friends” and we thank you all for joining us today. Love to everyone.

Bonnie’s Nieces and Nephews:

On the Tuckerman side: David, Connie, Diana, Margie, Mary, Lindsay, Erin, Jessi, Jolena, Nick, Ryan, Kyla, Rowdy, Colin, Casey, Eric, Emily, Elsie, Cooper, Gio, and Eidon.

On the Alvy side: Rachel, Deborah, Daniel, Elliot, Julia, Sydney, Adam, Sophie, Kobi, Sara, Hana, Eve, and Eliza.