Bonnie Jean Cvitanich

Obituary Bonnie Jean Cvitanich March 11, 1931 Bonnie Cvitanich, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at Saint Joseph's Hospital on Sunday evening, August 27, 2006. A lifelong resident of Tacoma, Bonnie was born March 11, 1931 to Gloss and Bell Updenkeller. As a young woman, she met and fell in love with George Cvitanich. They were married soon after, and spent their lives raising six children. They were married over forty-nine years before he passed away in 1998. She was a hard worker and spent 30 years working for Washington State, finishing her career as a store manager for the Washington State Liquor Control Board. She was well loved by the many store employees she supervised and could always be counted upon for a kind word and generosity. Bonnie was well-loved by her six children, thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She truly enjoyed the holidays, particularly Christmas, when the entire family would gather for great feasts of seafood and sweets. After retirement, she began to enjoy the game of golf, and the family athletes soon learned that the athletic gene was inherited from Bonnie. She delighted in the rounds she played at Highland golf course, and the many friends she made through weekly play. Highlights for her included a hole in one and winning small pots of change, as well as seeing her name in the paper for golf exploits. Over the years she remained active in the Retired Policeman organization, retaining friendships she began while her husband was on the Tacoma Police Department. She enjoyed travel, and looked back fondly to the time she was able to take almost her entire family to Mexico for the holidays. She truly enjoyed presiding over the adventures of the two-week trip. Bonnie is survived by sister-in-law Pearl Cvitanich, daughters Cheri Kress (Kelli, Dean), Kathie and Mike Jones (Jordan), Vicki and Frank Kuzmanich (Kristin, Karli), and sons Dick and Diane Cvitanich(John, Paul, Andy), Rick Cvitanich(Brent), George and Camilla Cvitanich ( Ashley); Sonja Lightfoot (George, Nicole, Michelle). She was proud to be a great-grandmother to nine as well. Viewing is 12:00-8:30 PM on Friday, September 1, at Gaffney Funeral Home, 1002 South Yakima Ave., Tacoma, (253) 572-6003. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 2, 2006, 11:00am at Gaffney Funeral Home. The family will hold a private committal prior to the memorial service. The family would like to thank the staff at Saint Joseph's Hospital for their care and kind words, and Dean Mellor for his ongoing compassion, support and friendship.