Bonnie Martinson Bonnie Martinson Brainard

Bonnie Martinson

Rest In Peace...
March 9, 2022
Bonnie Martinson Brainard
Updated: October 15, 2022

Posted from the October 12, 2022 obituary notice on DNews.com

Bonnie Martinson Brainard, 74, of Moscow, died Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Good Samaritan Village in Moscow, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Bonnie was born in National City, Calif., to Dorothy and Elfred Martinson in 1947. The family moved to Moscow when she was 7. She was a graduate of Moscow High School and the University of Idaho (1969) where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

She met her husband, Mark Brainard, at the U of I and they were married after graduation. They started out married life in Seattle, but also enjoyed living in Laurel, Md., Spokane and Lewiston. Bonnie worked for a Public Relations firm while living “back East” and also loved working with interiors at Joel’s in Spokane. After living away from Moscow for several years, Bonnie and Mark “circled back to Moscow.” There, she worked as an interior designer on staff at UI Facilities Planning. Bonnie also had a passion for books and reading. She worked for several years at the University of Idaho bookstore where she bought and sold books and developed lifelong friendships. Bonnie was a talented artist, known for her beautiful pencil drawings, photography and calligraphy. For years, she displayed her artwork at Moscow’s Art Walk.

After returning to Moscow, Bonnie decided to pursue a master’s degree in interior design. According to Bonnie, “her goal was cut short by a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease” in 1996. As she struggled with Parkinson’s for 26 years, she remained positive and optimistic for a cure and had a deep faith. Bonnie believed in “living life to its fullest, encouraged “empathy for others” and believed we should “be kinder than necessary because everyone is fighting a battle of some sort.” Bonnie had a gentle spirit and unconditional love for others. To many, she was an angel among us.

Bonnie was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Mark Brainard; her daughter, Annie Johnston (Brandon) and granddaughters, Elsie and Alex of Seattle; sisters, Shirley Smith (Dave), Jan Lewis (Rand) and Karin Larson; brother, Craig Martinson (Jenell); 11 nieces and nephews; and 20 great-nieces and great-nephews. She was also proud of her very large extended family.

Bonnie attended the First Presbyterian Church and was a member of P.E.O. Chapter AB in Moscow. She was so grateful for her friends and P.E.O. sisters for their friendship, love and support over the years. She was also grateful for the wonderful care she received from hospice. For more information about Parkinson’s Disease or to make a donation in Bonnie’s name, please contact Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation at nwpf.org.

Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at shortsfuneralchapel.com.

 

Updated: March 14, 2022

From CNews Death Notices:
Bonnie F. Brainard, 74, of Moscow, died Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Good Samaritan Society Moscow Village. Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow is in charge of arrangements.

When more information is available, we will include it here.


Spouse: Mark C. Brainard

Kids:

     One daughter who is married and has two daughters

Hi all,

Looking back, 40 years later...what can I say..."life is good." While in college, I found my two passions, Mark (husband of 35 years) and my love of design. Today they continue to be the joys of my life, along with my daughter and son-in-law.

From 1971 to 1985 we lived in Seattle, Laurel, Maryland, Spokane, Lewiston, and finally came full circle, endging up in Moscow again. Our daughter joined us in Spokane in 1978. She has added much joy and many new dimensions to our lives; and now lives with her husband in the city where we began our journey.

My career path has allowed me to do a little of this and a lot of that. I started out in a PR firm in Seattle and ended up at the U of I Bookstore, with various design and sales jobs in between. On returning to Moscow, I began work on my Master's Degree, but eventually became a gradute-school dropout, completing everything but my thesis. A lesson in what not to do! But by far my most joyful and significant job was raising my daughter. The pay was poor, but we had such a good time!

My optimism wavered a bit in April of 1996 when I received a diagnosis that turned my life upside down. My constant companion for the past nine years has been Parkinson's disease. But in spite of it or because of it, I trudge on and am learning to live in the moment.

At present I spend quite a bit of my time at my drawing table creating and sketching whatever catches my fancy. Expression through art media is my therapy. As long as I can continue to sketch, and my family is near, life is good. "Remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." -Unknown

Enjoy, and I'll see you at the reunion.
 


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