Bonnie Jean Blythe
July 24, 1932-Sept. 7, 2025
Palo Alto, California

Bonnie Jean Blythe was born in Oakland, California at the East Oakland Hospital on July 24, 1932. She lived in Oakland on Lawlor Street, near 94th Avenue, with her parents until college. She attended Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA and graduated in 1955 with a major in Elementary Education. She spent one year, between her Sophomore and Junior years, teaching in Placerville, CA and taught after graduation in Mountain View, CA at a private school, for four years, through the school term of 1961, until her first child was born in August.

Bonnie met her future husband, William (Bill) Blythe in high school, on New Year’s Eve, 1947-48, at a school party. He was a senior and she a sophomore. They dated on-and-off until they married in June of 1955. She supported Bill through graduate school until he received his doctorate from Stanford University in 1962.

They lived, first in Mountain View, CA., and then in her inherited parent’s home in Palo Alto. Bonnie was an only child. They lived in Palo Alto in that home for over 60 years. She had three children, Rick, a business consultant, Alison, a physician, and Kelly, a construction engineer. She did substitute teaching after the birth of her first child, Rick, in 1961.

Bonnie was known as a charming hostess and friend, and as a supporter of local charities. She was an active member of the Palo Alto Adventist church for many years.

Bonnie died on September 7, 2025 at Stanford hospital, having suffered a major stroke on August 26. She was surrounded by her two sons, Rick and Kelly, her husband Bill, her daughter-in-law Juli (Kelly’s wife) and Juli & Kelly’s two sons, Ben and Joe. She was 94 years of age.

She is survived by her husband, Bill, of 70 years, three children and 6 grandchildren. Internment will be at the Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto.

Tags: teacher/educator