Obituary: Bonnie Marie McCowan

1940-2015

1940-2015

The Stars in the sky are joined by a bright and beautiful new light. Bonnie was a wonderful wife and soulmate to our dad, a loving one of a kind mother, a fantastic grandmother and sister.

Bonnie Marie McCowan was born October 23, 1940 in Nora, Virginia and on October 5, 2015 at age 74 in Jerome, Idaho, went to her eternal home as Bonnie Marie Mochizuki. Her husband and granddaughter were by her side. We are certain she was greeted with such love and light by her sister Ann, brother Billy, mother Pearl, and "Daddy" Elbert McCowan and her beloved dog "Chips."

Mom had an amazing life rich with captivating stories of her childhood in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, her self-starting ways leaving home to work in a big city to help provide for her siblings at home.

She taught herself how to type which eventually led to a successful typesetting business in Phoenix, Arizona. Then she started a new adventure in the Verde Valley by working her way up to becoming a major land broker in the area.

This beautiful lady with sparkling brown eyes brought two daughters into the world and raised them with her soul-mate Bob Mochizuki, our dad.

Just a few of the many adventures together included prospecting for Uranium on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, brokering land deals across Northern Arizona, raising cattle, horses and sheep, working in Northern Nevada gold mines, and then on a leap of faith, working and living 8 years in Indonesia for a copper mine.

After retiring from the mining industry, she and her husband found their Shangri-La in Jerome, Idaho where she was determined to feed every squirrel and bird in the county.

She was an avid gardener, amazing cook and home innovator. She delighted in spoiling her grandkids who would describe her as a "visionary."

Bonnie is survived by Robert D. Mochizuki (Husband of 37 years), Daughters Kimberly M. Thompson (Husband Craig Thompson) of Elko, Nevada, and Gwendolyn S. Gierhart (Husband Bodie Gierhart) of Las Vegas, Nevada. Grandchildren: Hope Esplain, Heather Esplain, Daniel Thompson, Jace Thompson, Payson Thompson, Tyson Gierhart and Katelyn Gierhart. Siblings: Linda Greene of Nora, Virginia, Caroline French of Abington, Virginia, Neil McCowan of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Other family: Cousin Peggy Szoke and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and her dog "Mighty Mite," and cats "Lena" and "Yuri" all of which she loves dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Anne Poulson, Billy McCowan and Rodger McCowan. Our hearts are truly broken. We miss her so much. But with The Holy Spirit by our side we take comfort in knowing she has no more pain, no more suffering. It is our parents' wishes that no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, condolences etc., please consider a donation to The City of Jerome Animal Shelter c/o 152 East Ave. A, Jerome, Idaho 83338, and National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2600 Network Blvd, Suite 300, Frisco, TX 75034 or a charity of your choosing.

Information provided by survivors.


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