Shirley Bonbright

1931 - 2015

Shirley Vallerga Bonbright

April 12, 1931 -- July 29, 2015

Shirley Vallerga Bonbright died the way she lived her life -- on her own terms and with her loving family by her side. Shirley was born on April 12, 1931 in Oakland, CA to Lucille Monte Vallerga and Victor Vallerga. Shirley lived virtually her entire life in Marin County.

Shirley was a talented child actress who entered the Tefler School of Dramatic Arts in San Francisco at the age of 7 and regularly performed in plays at the Little Theatre at the Fairmont Hotel over the following six years. At 14, Shirley continued her studies under Mary and Fred Harris at the University of California, Berkeley. By the age of 16, Shirley had her own radio show on KTIM Radio with listeners as far away as Arizona and New Mexico. She co-wrote, directed and had the starring role in a live radio program, The Candy Jameson Show, with her teenage boyfriend, Peter Markopoulos. At UCLA, she took a course in directing and found her passion. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 1954. A few months later, Shirley married Irving Wayland Bonbright, III and shifted her focus to the domestic dramatic arts of raising their three children. Her love of theatre never waned.

Through the mothering years, she worked as the Director of The Masque Unit Theatre of Marin, a troupe of adults who preformed plays for school children as well as the greater community. She held this voluntary role for 22 years and during this time she co-wrote 7 plays that she also directed for Masque Unit. In addition, Shirley took on the job of playwright and director for Marin Jr. Theatre Summer Workshop for 15 years which entailed working with between 85-110 children ages 6-18 for 12 weeks each summer to produce a play (often her own work), coordinate costumes, and design and construct a set. Each child had a role on stage as well as behind the scenes. Later, Shirley founded and directed the Young Performers Theatre of San Rafael and kept it alive for 12 years. Throughout her adult life, Shirley wrote and directed countless community musicals and PTA fundraising productions. She even wrote and directed plays for the residents of Smith Ranch in San Rafael, where she and Wayland lived joyfully among good friends during their final years.

Wayland and Shirley Bonbright travelled the globe extensively and spent endless hours sailing and motoring on San Francisco Bay and on waterways near and far. They were married for 57 memorable years, taking great joy in the success and love of their family and friends.

Shirley Vallerga Bonbright is survived and sorely missed by her children: David Wayland Proctor-Bonbright of London, England and his wife Elaine; Elizabeth Marie Bonbright of Tacoma, Washington; and Christopher Vallerga Bonbright and his wife Lisa of Beverly Hills, California. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Paris McShane Bonbright and Eden Vallerga Bonbright of Beverly Hills; Megan Lucia Thompson and Heidi Victoria Thompson of Tacoma, Washington; and Lucia Proctor-Bonbright and Jacob Wayland Proctor-Bonbright of London, England.

The family will observe a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests tax-deductible donations in Shirley Bonbright's name to the Conservatory Theatre Ensemble, Tamalpias High School, 700 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941.