Bonita Owston

Bonita Louise (Nelson) Owston, of Hermitage, PA, passed away peacefully, at the age of 82, on March 25, 2023, in Oakland, MD, surrounded by family.

On March 14, 1941, Bonita was born in Sharon, PA, daughter of Rosella (Coppage) and Rhea P. Nelson. She graduated from Sharpsville High School in 1959, and then enrolled in the York Hospital School of Nursing, where she received her nursing license in 1962. Her first job was with Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. She then worked as an operating room nurse for the Pittsburgh Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Bonita transferred to the Denver, CO Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She worked with Dr. Thomas Starzl, a renowned transplant surgeon, as his operating room nurse.

Bonita married Robert W. Owston on July 24, 1971. They joined many organizations throughout their marriage, including the Grace United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, Grace United Methodist Church in Denver and many of their affiliated organizations, Order of the Amaranth Inc., Liberty Court No. 1, Order of the Eastern Star Manzanita Chapter 85, The International Order of the Rainbow Girls, Daughter of the Nile Temple No. 47, The Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem (Grove City Shrine) No. 53, Order of the Amaranth Inc., Farrell Court No. 120, and Good Sam's International Organization. Bonita and Bob were host parents with Up with People headquartered in Denver, CO. Bonita also volunteered with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Bonita had a wide variety of hobbies including ceramics and sewing, and a great love for dogs of which she owned many. Although she retired in June 2006, her hobbies kept her very busy throughout her life.

Bonita was preceded in death by her parents, Rosella and Rhea Nelson; her husband, Robert W. Owston, in 1993; and her sister, Sherrie Nelson. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nephews and niece, and cousins.

Bonita's memorial service and columbarium entombment will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Grace United Methodist Church, 4905 East Yale Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80222. C&S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland, MD is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Bonita may be directed to any of the organizations to which she belonged or K9s for Warriors.