Bonnie Bess Short Finchum

Bonnie Bess Short Finchum died early Easter morning on April 8, 2007, at her home in Tigard, Ore.
She was originally from Klamath Falls, Ore., where she was one of six children born to R. C. (Lum) and Inez Turner Short on July 13, 1912.
She was an active teen, playing on the Henley High School championship girls basketball team, appearing in school plays, singing with the choir, and helping on the family farm.
She majored in music at the University of Oregon, later set up the "Bonnie Marie" ice cream drive-up on Main Street, and in 1934 married James Dayton Finchum, a local farmer.
Eventually, Bonnie and Dayton settled in Klamath Falls to raise their family. She was actively involved in her children's education, was an elder at Mt. Laki Church, and continued to use her musical talent to play and teach piano.
After their children were grown, Bonnie and Dayton moved to their ranch at St. Maries, Idaho, and then to Hayden Lake, Idaho where Dayton died in 1975.
Subsequently, Bonnie moved to Tigard, Ore., where she remained until her death.
She was active in her community, became a member of the Bryn Sieon Welsh Church in Beavercreek, where she played the organ for 16 years, and enjoyed many friends and family who gathered around her.
Bonnie is survived by her five children and sons-in-laws Sharon and Dave Meeker, Lee, N.H., Sheila and Michael Ramey, Harrison, Idaho, Sharlene Croydon, Clackamas, Ore., Fred Croydon, LaConner, Wash., Coleen and Lee Hoffman, Portland, Ore., and Walter Jerry Finchum, Corvallis, Ore. She is also survived by "No. 5 daughter" Claire Mahuna, a dear family friend and her two children; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She received many years of loving care from Rosa Diaz de Leon, whose family called her Grandma Bonnie, and her most recent helper at home, Kathy O'Brien.
A talented, expansive and loving woman, Bonnie Bess will long be loved and remembered by all who knew her.
A memorial picnic for family and friends will be held in Klamath Falls on June 30 at the home of Dr. Ronald and Kay Short.
Donations in her name may be made to Mt. Laki or Bryn Sieon or to the charity of your choice.