Bonnie J. Byrd
July 20, 1938 to Dec. 19, 2013
Bonnie J. Byrd of Ben Lomond died in her home in December after a brief bout with illness. She was 75.
Mrs. Byrd was born in the Bay Area and remained there from her youth through her marriage and childbearing. After a divorce, she moved in the 1970’s to Ben Lomond. Friends said she loved living by the San Lorenzo River among the redwoods. Her best buddies were the wild creatures who resided in her trees and garden.
Mrs. Byrd began working in her late teens at San Francisco International Airport with her dad as her boss. After moving into the San Lorenzo Valley while raising four of her children, she began her career at Safeway, Inc. where she became a gifted flower arranger. Mrs. Byrd also showed her love of color and design in her wardrobe and country home.
Mrs. Byrd preferred a quiet existence and she enjoyed the social contact that the internet brought to her home. As a social networker she appreciated her ability to communicate with friends and family through Facebook and e-mail.
She was a San Francisco Forty Niners and the San Francisco Giants fan and often showed their colors on a blouse, pants jacket or housecoat.
Mrs. Byrd is survived by her brothers Arnold and Ward Messersmith, sister Lynn Hawley; her son Rick Byrd and daughter Julie Bonnie. She was preceded in death by her parents, the father of her children and three of her sons: Jeff, Kent and Mike.
A memorial service will be held in February.
