Dustin’s mom, Mary, passed away from Alzheimer’s on August 24. It was especially hard because it was Dustin’s birthday. Mary did not have any funds for her final expenses, but we know she will appreciate a gathering to honor her life as it touched so many people.
If we happen to raise more than Mary’s final expenses, we will split the excess and donate it to Trinity Church and Uncle Foods Diner – both of these organizations were there for Mary until the end and they meant so much to her.
Obituary:
Mary Kathryn Bonnie passed away on August 24th, 2026, at the age of 77.
Mary was born in Springfield, IL, on February 14, 1949, as the only child of Samuel and Marian Bonnie. Her father, Samuel, was a doctor which Mary was very proud of.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Botany in Illinois, Mary followed one of her college friends to Ashland, OR, where she spent the rest of her life – over 50 years.
Mary gave birth to her son, Dustin Bonnie Overman, on August 24, 1981. She is survived by him, his wife, Rachel, and their two daughters – Penelope (5) and Violet (1).
Mary’s work life was varied. She sold shoes at Macy’s, worked at the Ashland Greenhouses for many years, and was a server at a few different places in downtown Ashland, including The Log Cabin. She also had many side gigs including working with Inti Imports and The Hat People. She dedicated her life to her community. She loved Ashland and all of the people there. You could often find her volunteering at the Ashland food bank or Uncle Foods Diner, or socializing at the Ashland Food Co-op or the Saturday Artisan Market. She was also a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Mary attended nearly 50 years of the Oregon Country Fair. She worked at booths many of those years. She was a well-established member of the Fair Family and was honored as an elder in that community.
Her loves for plants and cats were insatiable. She always had many beautiful plants around her, and, as a self-proclaimed “crazy cat lady,” wished she could have even more cats.
Please bring a story to share at Mary’s service on September 21st. It will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ashland at noon.
