August 22, 1932 – March 1, 2023

Bonnie was born on August 22, 1932, in Albany, California.  She was the only child of Charles and Muriel McGaw. 

As a young child, Bonnie lived with her parents in Lafayette CA. In 1943, the family moved to Denver CO where she graduated from East High School in 1950. Bonnie then did some studies at the University of Colorado. During this period, she met Robert Russell Oliver. They fell in love and were married on October 17, 1954. Bonnie and Bob had two sons, Greg (1957) and Warren (1959). She was a loving and supportive wife and mother, dedicated to her family. Bonnie was primarily a homemaker, but she also held several part-time jobs and expressed her artistic aptitude in many forms.  She loved to dream and was very creative.   She designed many of her own patterns and worked regularly on various projects like sewing, cross stitch, quilting, wood ornaments, and furniture refinishing. 

Bonnie, Bob, and their sons moved many times, going wherever Bob’s work took them. They lived in Seattle WA, Salt Lake City UT, Bellevue WA, Newport News VA, and Yorktown VA.  While in Bellevue and after Bob was laid-off from the Boeing Corporation, Bonnie and Bob owned and operated a gift shop called The Attic Door. They and their sons spent endless hours at the shop to make it a success so the family could remain in the beautiful Northwest. Bonnie applied many of her artistic and design skills to make the shop attractive, and she filled it with many handmade products.  Eventually, Bob was forced to look for employment again, which landed the family in Virginia.  After their boys graduated from high school, Bob and Bonnie moved to Marion VA, Nashville TN, and Riverside CA, again following where the jobs led them. After Bob retired in 1993, they moved to Friendswood TX to be close to Greg’s family, including their two grandchildren, Wade and Amy.

Bonnie was active in the Friendswood area as a member of Friends Church, the Friendswood Garden Club, and Bible study groups with close friends.  She was also a long-time member of PEO (a women’s philanthropic organization), and she joined local chapters in the many places she lived. 

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Muriel McGaw, and her husband, Robert Oliver.  She is survived by son Greg Oliver (wife Marcia) of Friendswood TX, son Warren Oliver of San Diego CA, grandson Wade Oliver (wife Allison) of Sugar Land TX, granddaughter Amy Stone (husband Samuel) of Meridian ID, and great-grandchildren Davis (11), Avery (9), and Ethan (3).

Bonnie died peacefully on March 1, 2023, with family present. She was 90 years old.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a memorial service on April 1, 2023, at 10AM at Friendswood Friends Church (Coffee Café). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bonnie’s memory to Friendswood Friends Church, 502 S. Friendswood Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546.

Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.