Obituary

Bonnie Jean Vaniman, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 88 on April 1, 2016.  She was born to Evelyn and Curtis Allen “Bus” Hinote on April 27th, 1927.

Bonnie graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1945, and married Herb Vaniman in Bellingham on March 25th, 1949.  The newlyweds lived in Tulsa Oklahoma for one year while Herb attended Spartan School of Aeronautics.  Following Herb’s graduation, they returned to Bellingham, where Herb flew for Bellingham Flying Service.  Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Friday Harbor where Herb flew for Island Sky Ferries. Five years later, they settled in Everson, where Herb began a long career in the family business, Hinote’s Furniture.

They raised two children, Debbie and Curt, in an immaculately-kept home on Main St, where cherished memories were made from numerous gatherings of family and friends.  After Herb’s retirement, Bonnie and Herb moved to James Street Estates in Bellingham in 1990.

Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she and Herb took great delight decorating their home in thousands of lights for passersby to enjoy.  In 1994, they fulfilled a dream with the purchase of a large motor home, and over the next 10 years, had the time of their lives taking annual trips, ultimately visiting each of the lower 48 states. Bonnie was a devoted homemaker who deeply loved her family, and all the wonderful times they shared together. 

She was preceded in death by husband Herb in 2008, and daughter Debbie in 2010.  Survivors are son Curt Vaniman and wife Julie; grandchildren Eric Vaniman and Kendra Vaniman; sister Donna Towle; brother-in-law Bob Nevins and wife Sandy; niece Shelly McKay and husband Bryan, and nephews Greg Towle, Jamie Nevins, Christopher Nevins and their families.

A private family gathering will be held to celebrate Bonnie’s life.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bonnie’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.