Bonnie Russell

Bonnie Lois Paxton Russell passed away November 25, 2013 in Bountiful, Utah of complications from a stroke. She was born May 24, 1928 in Kanosh, Utah. She was the youngest of eight children and the last surviving child of Mary Jane Manhard and Arthur Marion Paxton. She was very active in school programs and loved to learn. She played High School basketball and softball and loved sports. Bonnie later served in PTA for 18+ years. Bonnie married James Donald Russell on December 7, 1946. They had two daughters and opened their home to many including a favorite nephew Marion Earl Paxton. Bonnie and Jim were later married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Bonnie has always been active in the LDS Church and has enjoyed holding positions in Relief Society, Primary and Sunday School. She loved teaching and working with children and volunteered in the school programs in Rose Park, Glendale and Bountiful. She helped raise a grandson and two great-grandsons. Bonnie lived in Fillmore, Rose Park, Bountiful and the last two years of her life, with her daughter in Farmington, following a stroke in 2012. She lived a full and productive life and was loved by many friends, neighbors and family members.
Bonnie attended BYU cosmetology school and worked for J and J Maintenance and Tel America after her husband died in 1980. She was a great quilter and most family members are recipients of her handiwork. Bonnie loved to cook and everyone was always welcome at her table. She loved to share, whether it was food, talents or time.
Bonnie is survived by daughters, Donna Whitaker (Don) of Farmington and Lois Cruz Salazar of Glendale; a special niece, Lola (Boyd) Paxton Brown of Centerville; grandchildren: Preston and Travis Cruz, James and Renee Whitaker, Jessie and Lacey Salazar; 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Bonnie will leave a void in many lives and will be missed by most of those she came in contact with.
There will not be a funeral service as per Bonnie’s wishes. However, there will be a viewing at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2013. Burial will take place in Fillmore on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 12:00 noon.