Bonnie J. York
June 23, 1936 - December 7, 2020
Bonnie June (Allen) York, 84, passed away in Fallon on December 7, 2020 due to severe complications from COVID-19.
Bonnie was born in Fallon on June 23, 1936 to Lem and Mary Ellen Allen. She was a lifelong Fallon resident, graduating from Churchill County High School in 1953. She attended the College of Notre Dame, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Bonnie was proud of her Allen heritage and loved her Fallon roots and the adventures they produced.
Bonnie enjoyed the outdoors. In her earlier years, Bonnie enjoyed duck hunting with her Dad, who also was instrumental in developing her love for horses. She was an accomplished horsewoman competing in equestrian, western and team roping events. Bonnie enjoyed water skiing, snow skiing, golf, and tennis. However, her real joy was ranching and raising Saler cattle. Bonnie loved her cows, giving individual names to most in the herd. Her record keeping for the cattle was impeccable as she maintained a well organized accounting of each cow and could recount the breeding history from memory. Bonnie’s pride and joy was her blind cow Helen, named after Helen Keller. She took great care of Helen and spoke of her often.
Bonnie loved her music. As an accomplished pianist and singer, she contributed those talents in the Epworth United Methodist Church and Lahontan Valley Concert Choir. After taking Western swing classes, she danced on a regular basis, where she met her longtime partner, Jesse Hernandez.
Bonnie was a dedicated teacher, positively impacting many students. It was quite common for previous students to verbally express to Bonnie their appreciation of her as a teacher. She began her teaching career with the Churchill County School District as an elementary music teacher. Bonnie transitioned from elementary education to adult education when she became a faculty member at Western Nevada Community College (now WNC) in 1977 where she taught business and computer applications. During her 30 years at WNC, she never missed a single day of class, which she was very proud. In support of women in academics, Bonnie was an active member of the American Association of University Women. As a result of her dedication to teaching, Bonnie received the Outstanding Faculty Award in 1990, WNC Regents Teaching Award in 2000, Instructor of the Year in 2001 and was awarded Emerita status upon
her retirement in 2007 at the age of 71.
Bonnie was a wonderful mother, grandmother, partner and friend. She is survived by her daughter, Kristin Hamman Calley (Mike), two granddaughters, Mary and Meghan, a brother, Buz Allen (Kay), partner, Jesse Hernandez, and her many friends and former WNCC colleagues.
Join with friends and family to celebrate the life of Bonnie York and share memories of this wonderful woman. The celebration reception is scheduled 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on July 21 at Oats Park Art Center Lariat Patio, 151 E. Park Street, Fallon, NV 89406
Memorial donations in Bonnie’s honor can be made to the Churchill Arts Council (P. O. Box 2204 · Fallon, NV 89407) or Churchill County Museum (1050 South Maine Street, Fallon, Nevada 89406).