Bonnie Vass Werther

Werther, Bonnie Vass
SANDY, Ore. - Bonnie Vass Werther, long-time resident of Loudonville, N.Y. and Portland, Ore., died June 18, 2023, at Avamere Assisted Living in Sandy. Born in Champaign, Ill. to Willard and Georgia Howe, Bonnie held lifelong interests in reading, gardening, politics and travel. After graduating from Mansfield High School, she attended Northwestern University where she joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and received a B.A. in history in 1951.
Her first marriage in 1952 to fellow Northwestern alum, Spiro Vass, ended in divorce in 1981. They raised their two children in Loudonville, where Bonnie volunteered for many local and national political campaigns, plus various nonprofits. She eventually ran for local office, serving as Town Clerk for the Town of Colonie for many years. Bonnie loved to laugh, throw parties, collect antiques, and attend live theater. She had an affinity for British and American history. She traveled the world in her later years, returning frequently to Africa, her favorite continent. Most important, Bonnie instilled a love of learning in her children who felt like they always came first in her life.
Bonnie married Latham resident and widower, Bill Werther in 1990. Together they took annual trips to Florida and spent happy summer months on Lake George with many visits to Saratoga Race Course. They moved to Portland near her son Bill in 2007. Her husband died of Alzheimer's in 2012.
Bonnie is predeceased by son, Stephen Vass; husband, Bill Werther; sister, Billie Cardillo; and stepdaughter, Janet Griffin. She is survived by daughter, Barbara Vass (Mike Saksa) and son Bill Vass (Anna Zell); stepsons, Bob (Mary Lynn) and Jim (Becky) Werther; stepdaughter, Nancy Stanton (Luke); two grandchildren, twelve step-grandchildren, and several step-great-grandchildren.
Bonnie will be cremated and have a graveside service at her burial in Mansfield, Illinois, early fall.