Bonnie Jean Cameron

Bonnie Jean Cameron, of Spokane, Washington, died Saturday, August 27, 2016, after a long illness. She was 75.

She was born Oct. 11, 1940, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Noal and Irene Beard. She moved to the Tri-Cities at an early age and was raised by Herman and Eva Davis, graduating from Pasco High School in 1959.

She was the former owner of Bonnie's Flowers in Grand Coulee, Washington. She lived for more than a decade in the area and her children attended local schools. She often described that time as the happiest of her life. She was a 40-year member of the Grand Coulee Eagles.

Her true passion in life was music. She sang and played guitar for years in several country and western bands, touring as far north as the Northwest Territories in Canada, and as far south as Arizona.

She was happiest when belting out songs by artists like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn or Tanya Tucker. She cut a larger-than-life figure in the often rough-and-tumble bar scene, standing six feet tall with a beehive hairdo and cowboy hat. She was nicknamed the "Blonde Bomber," after an imposing Roller Derby star of the 1970s.

After leaving the music scene, she worked as a property administrator, at one point supervising a portfolio of 11 large residential complexes in four states.

She retired in 2007 and moved to Spokane to be closer to family and friends. She had a generous, loving heart and contributed to many charities over the years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Danny Cameron, in 1992.

She is survived by her brother, Elbern "Sunny" Beard of Spokane; son, James Van Nostrand of Kennewick, Washington; daughters, Catherine Allen and Debra Werre, both of Spokane; three grandchildren, Jacob Martin of Seattle, Joshua Allen of Tucson, Ariz., and Lyra Bloom of Eugene, Ore.; and her first husband, Ron Van Nostrand of Pasco.

A celebration of life is planned for 2 p.m., Saturday, October 15, at the Spokane Valley Eagles Lodge, 16801 E. Sprague Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society.