Bonita Brady and what's beyond the corner

When I first met Bonita Brady, who calls herself Bonnie, I caught a glimpse of a few of my own traits. Then I realized nobody ever catches up with Bonnie.

Brady told me she was born in Chicago. Her father was an electrician. I soon understood that being born in a certain place didn’t mean she would stay there very long. “I’ve been on both coasts,” she said.

As Brady grew up she decided to try college and found a hard set of rules. If you’re going to college you will take algebra. Brady said, “No.” College said, “Yes.”

Well, college isn’t everything. Brady was busy anyway. During lunch hour one day, she joined the Navy. She married a man on a dare. His name was Johnnie. The “dare” turned out well. Bonnie and Johnnie made a good couple.

Brady said, “He was a wonderful husband.” They were married for more than 15 years and had three beautiful children. Brady now has eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. They visit often.

After retirement from casino work, Brady moved to Ohio to be near her oldest daughter, where she had a successful restaurant, for five years. She missed Las Vegas and returned to be near her daughters, Kris and little Bonnie, until moving to Washington with Kris and her family.

Here she has found a comfortable home in Cheney near Kris. Kris keeps busy with many things. Among all her work she helps people like me find someone who likes to talk. Our visit is a friendly chat that often becomes a column in the Cheney Free Press. Brady has kept her strong decisions about what she will or will not do. She says, “Life is what you make it. Considering a decision, I say, I can if I want to. You live by the choices you make.”

Brady has three older sisters and one older brother. People are often curious about other families. Bonnie has been through the question mill. “People will ask me: Are you sure you’re related? You’re so different.” Like a teacher, Brady explains to the questioner, “Our personalities are different.”

Bonnie, we wish you many days of sunshine and happiness. We hope to visit with you again soon.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be contacted with comments and story ideas at [email protected].