Bonnie Mary Mooney

After 95 years, Bonnie Mary Mooney née Shepherd, took her final trip from here on December 19, 2018.
She graduated from East High School and then attended the University of Utah, leaving school because of the war.
She loved the arts, travel and history. She has been described variously as a dancer, artist, writer, activist, and singer as well as a history and archeology enthusiast. She experienced the world in as many ways as possible; from flying faster than the speed of sound in the Concorde to the slow riding of an authentic ox cart in Zaire (now the DRC). On safari in Kenya she went to see the animals, not shoot them. She loved animals, always surrounded by dogs, cats and the squirrels she befriended that came to her kitchen window for nuts. The artist in her led to her ruminations on their thoughts and perceptions when she wrote “The World According to Earl the Squirrel”. She was an active member in the Lady’s Literary Club. She wrote, directed and regularly acted in plays until the members eventually aged out and the club became a casualty of the digital age. She was a docent at the U of U Museum of Fine Arts. Bonnie genuinely enjoyed people and surrounded herself with interesting people from all over the world. She threw lavish parties that she meticulously planned, executing every detail of the event from perfect decorations and chilled glasses to delicious food always with a wide array of interesting guests. She was a published poet, a knowledgeable and interesting conversationalist whose infectious laugh instantly drew you in. Bonnie was a kind and gentle spirit who found the best in others and brought out the best in people.
She is survived by four children, Jerome (wife Kaitlyn), Kurtis (wife Teresa), Kevin (wife Ellie) and Mary (husband Jason Brooks), by 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren who all will miss her deeply.
A celebration of life for Bonnie will be held on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. A graveside service will follow at 1:20 pm at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South.