Bonnie Eugenia Mitchell

Bonnie Eugenia Mitchell was born to Nana Lee and Frank Dutton on May 5, 1928 in Raywood, Texas. She was but a toddler when her father was killed and her mother was left to raise Bonnie as a single parent. At that time her mother found a very loving childcare provider that would keep her during the week and her mother would frequently go to visit. Never did my mother, Bonnie, feel abandoned or unloved. On Bonnie's 5th birthday, her mother remarried and her new husband quickly adopted Bonnie and she was able to live with her mom and her new dad.

As she grew older, Bonnie loved to ride her bicycle around the neighborhood and the nearby park with her dog Lad running alongside her. When she was only 12, maybe 13, she met Allen Mitchell, a young boy that lived nearby and soon became her forever sweetheart. While attending high school she was very active in the Scottish Brigades and spent hours practicing her Highland dancing. She graduated from high school at the early age of 16 and had to get special permission to attend college at that young age. Bonnie graduated from college three years later as a Registered Nurse and then married Allen upon his discharge from the Navy. Allen had his age legally changed so he could buy their first home. She practiced as a nurse until she gave birth to me, Connie, in 1952. She never returned to nursing and chose to be a stay at home mother. Two years after I was born, she had my brother, Richard, and she later miscarried a set of twins. Understandably, she never wanted to talk much about that loss.

Bonnie was a devoted wife and a mother active in whatever her children became involved in: PTA, scouts, sports, music, etc. She loved to bake pies, cakes, cookies, and to make candy. She received many compliments on her baking skills. She loved to fish and I was told my mother had the patience of a saint. Some friends said you could set out a bowl or a bucket of water and she would run to get her fishing pole. She and Allen lived very frugally and my mom would often get my aunts discarded dresses and make me a new outfit. I treasured every dress she ever made for me and I remember shedding tears when she gave them away.

Bonnie also loved to travel. Our family made a road trip from Houston to Seattle Washington once a year and many shorter road trips throughout the years. In 1974, Bonnie and Allen moved to the island of Bahrain in the Middle East for Dad's work. There she stayed active in the American Women's Club, bridge club, and the tennis club. She never wanted to leave the states and family but she was the type of person who takes the lemons and makes lemonade. People would always comment about her beautiful smile. She said "sometimes you just have to go with the flow". She requested for that quote be on her gravestone.

Bonnie was a true Texan at heart. Each year, my parents arranged for a large house on the Frio River in west Texas for the entire family and their friends to gather. Hours were spent tubing down the river at which time we could hear Bonnie proudly singing "Beautiful Texas", the most beautiful state that I know". She also requested that "Beautiful Texas" be sung at her funeral.

In her later years, she continued her bridge pursuits and in 2024 became a Life Master of Duplicate Bridge. She really enjoyed her weekly bridge games and socializing with all her bridge buddies. Bonnie enjoyed playing all types of games and spent many hours playing games with her children and grandchildren. Dominoes and dice games became favorite pastimes with the family. When she could twist my arm to drive her to Laughlin Nevada, she would. She could spend hours feeding the slot machines with the hopes of winning millions. She was a hit with all the security officers who kept a watch over her.

Bonnie and Allen were married for 72 years, until Allen's death in 2019. Their love for each other could be felt by all friends and family around them. Bonnie spent both days and nights by Allen's side when he was hospitalized. Her devotion was undying. Her love for her home and family have kept her going for these past 6 years. But now she has gone to be with the man that was her world for so many years.

We will miss her so much. The world needs more people like her, kind, caring, giving, strong, and always with a positive outlook. We will miss her laughter and her smile.

She is survived by her daughter Connie Boehler (Ted), her son Richard Mitchell (Josie), her oldest grandson Scott Boehler (Katy), great grandsons Declan and Dallen Boehler, her youngest grandson Michael Boehler (Dakota), and her sister Nancy Ellen Leva.

A visitation will be held at Rose Hills Mortuary, located at 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California, 90601, on January 16, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at Rose Hills Memorial Park - Mortuary Chapel, also at 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California, 90601, on January 16, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Bonnie Eugenia Mitchell will be laid to rest at Rose Hills Memorial Park, in the Garden of Serenity, Row 10, Lot 1849, Space 2, Gate Number 1, located at 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier.