Lasting Memories
Ruth Bonilla
Nov. 22, 1918-Dec. 18, 2012
Palo Alto, California
Ruth Raleigh Bonilla, 94, a resident of Palo Alto since 1963, passed away Dec. 18.
She was born and raised in Iowa and came to California during World War II. She was married to noted geologist Manuel Bonilla for 56 years until he died in 2006.
She enjoyed reading, playing the piano and gourmet cooking. She studied and wrote poetry all her life and took numerous poetry courses at the Palo Alto Adult School. She was remarkably free of envy, arrogance and anger, and looked for the good in everyone.
Her memory will be honored by her daughters, Janice of San Jose and Laurie (Ed) of Mountain View; son, Roger (Gigi) of Sunnyvale; and grandsons, Michael and Eric.
Jan. 20, 2013
Memories of ?Cousin Ruth? My mother Mamie Raleigh Leach was a cousin of Ruth Raleigh Bonilla. Mamie was 10 years older than Ruth. Their fathers were brothers, both born in the US of immigrant Norwegian parents, Jacob and Fredrikke Olson. Although separated by the miles between their homes in MN and IA, Mamie and Ruth corresponded. When I was nine or ten years old, ?Cousin Ruth? came to visit us at West Concord, MN, greatly pleasing my mother. ?Cousin Ruth? took me to Griffin?s Drug Store and treated me to the first malted milk I ever had. In my adult years Ruth sent me the photo of an altar built by Jacob Olson. She didn't know its location but through numerous communications I learned it might be in Salem Lutheran Church, Radcliffe, IA. With my sisters Darlene and Brenda, I visited the Church in 2004. We saw the altar. It matched the photo. The Church History book confirmed that Jacob Olson and 2 other men built the first Salem Lutheran church. The church suffered at least two fires: the altar survived! I think of ?Cousin Ruth? as a blessing in the Olson/Raleigh family.
Dec. 30, 2012
I did not really know much about my aunt Ruth, growing up so far away. But visiting Doc and Ruth as an adult was such an uplifting experience - you knew she was genuinely glad to see you. She could recall all kinds of details about the family history and it was fascinating to just listen. I will miss her!
Dec. 29, 2012
I remember the first time when I visited Mrs. Bonilla's home with my sister's family, she welcomed me so warmly with such gentle kindness. She gave me two special presents during that visit - a beautiful sugar bowl and creamer set from her china collection. I've had them on display since. She also gifted me the "Immortal Poems of the English Language" - her giving spirit touched me deeply, especially in sharing her love of poetry. I will miss this graceful and gentle spirit in Ruth Bonilla. In Fond Remembrance, LiLi Chu