Bonnie MacMaster Andersen

You never separate a Prairie Girl from her roots!  Bonnie was born in the rolling plains of Western North Dakota on October 16, 1943 to Bud and Neva MacMaster, prior school teachers, who were native to the area.  Bonnie would always take pride in her Scottish and Norwegian heritage.  She was the middle daughter, with an older sister Jamie and younger sister Heather, who were followed by the baby John.  Bonnie and her siblings were exposed to an appreciation of music, literature and the arts by her parents and a loving supportive community.  Bonnie had an interest in Nursing early on which took her West to Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Tacoma Washington.  It was there that she met Mark, who ended up being her boyfriend for more than sixty years. She wasn’t through with her education, after receiving her Bachelors in Nursing, she earned a Masters in nursing from the University of Washington.  Following graduation, she accepted a teaching position at PLU and taught there for a couple of years while Mark finished his studies and worked in the University’s Admissions Department. The couples life was interrupted in 1969 by Vietnam when Mark was called to serve in the Army.  Bonnie trailed Mark to his first assignment at Walter Reed in Washington D.C..  There, she accepted a teaching position at Catholic University. It was at during this period their oldest Son, Arran was welcomed to the household.  Later, the Army interrupted their lives by assigning Mark to the 121st Evacuation Hospital in Seoul, Korea.  So, off they went, toddler Arran in tow.  It was here that Bonnies creative side began to emerge.  She took Oriental brush painting and also developed an eye for color in the myriad of open Asian fabric markets.  Following Mark’s discharge, he was accepted to Stanford’s Physical Therapy program.  With GI bill funding and Bonnie’s work at Stanford Medical Center’s labor & delivery department, they were able to complete Mark’s program without amassing debt.  After graduation, and Mark accepting his first position in Vallejo, California, the family located in Napa and began planting roots in the community. They joined the Methodist Church, finding a thriving membership of young growing families which would be their spiritual home for almost 50 years. In 1978, second son Sterling arrived and Bonnie was able to take time to be a Mom.  During this period she was a prolific needle-pointe artist.  In the early 1980’s she was called back to teaching and began a twenty year teaching professorship at Napa Community College’s Nursing Program, teaching Maternal-infant/labor & delivery.  Bonnie loved to teach, especially the “clinical”, hands-on instruction in the hospital setting.  She never lost her love of holding babies.  Around this time, she became acquainted with a colleague in the Art Department, Shari Kadar, a talented sculptor and painter who had been formally trained.  Shari would become a valued teacher, mentor and coach.  Bonnie explored several mediums, silk painting, fiber art/felting garments, but it was oil painting which seemed to give her the most satisfaction.  After her retirement, Bonnie and three other women would join Shari at her studio every week to paint under the watchful eye of their guide. Bonnie loved these sessions.  Her artwork heightened her eye for color and her painting technique.  Bonnie’s art extended to her edgy wardrobe, dressing with panache for color and style.  She lived by the Oscar Wilde quote secured on her refrigerator door: “one should either be a work of art or wear a work of art”.  Bonnie’s unique flare for fashion, combined with her inner and outer beauty proved one could be both! 

Bonnie found time to travel, foreign and domestic trips always included art museums and her art became influenced by the great impressionists. Travel also included “shadow chasing”, total solar eclipse adventures in Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, Wyoming, Texas and New Mexico.  Bonnie loved music, playing the cornet in high school and college bands as well as singing in the Choir of The West at PLU and the Napa Methodist Choir.  She served on the Napa Symphony League board for a number of years.  In her later years, Bonnie stretched her art with water color classes and recently decided to take up the harmonica.  Bonnie was always an advocate for social Justice issues.  In 2018, Bonnie made the commitment to join Leadership Napa Valley, a nationally recognized program that provides leadership development skills for community minded individuals, which requires a nine month commitment of learning.  Word has it that she was the oldest participant in her class, maybe in the history of the program.  Participation in the program led to the development of a local weekly radio program, “Senior Moments”.  It was designed to help the elderly, who may not be “tech-savvy” to stay connected to the community.  Bonnie was proud of her work with undocumented families seeking asylum in napa.  She was a force in this churches decision in becoming a sanctuary space, which has assisted several families.  She became especially close to the most recent family who called this church home for more than two years.  

Bonnie was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma more than twenty five years ago.  It is a treatable cancer if managed well.  Bonnie, using her nursing background, researched her diagnosis extensively to make sure she received the most up-to-date care.  It is a testament to Stanford Medical Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that she remained a vital, vibrant patient through these many years.  Typical Bonnie, she wanted to share her knowledge of this disease and became instrumental in developing a Northern California support group that met several times a year. It’s ironic that weeks before her death she led a meeting, helping fellow patients through the maze of treatment care, decision making and emotional support.   

Up until the very end of her life, Bonnie was compelled to make a difference…..and she did. Through her teaching, artwork and social justice activism she touched a myriad of lives who benefited from her presence.

Bonnie will be laid to rest in her beloved North Dakota prairie soil surrounded by the Prairie Rose, waving wheat fields and the Meadowlark’s call with a graveside family gathering.

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