Bonalyn Bea Smith

Bonalyn (Bonnie) Smith was born in Brooklyn, New York, November 22, 1937, to Frank Bricker and Bethanna (Heltman) Bricker. Bonnie passed peacefully March 9, 2025, at the age of 87 following an extended illness.

Bonnie’s family moved to Glen Rock, New Jersey where she spent her childhood. She received her BA from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York in 1959. In 1968 she earned her MA from Columbia University in New York City. Bonnie joined the music department faculty at Central Washington University (CWU) in 1973. In 1977 she completed her DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in piano performance through the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She retired from CWU in 2000. During her years as a professor, Bonnie dedicated herself whole-heartedly to the staff and her students. She was passionate about her teaching and her music and possessed a rare talent to bring feeling and sensitivity to every piece she played. Bonnie was a member of the Central Trio for years. The trio consisted of a violinist, a cellist and a pianist. The group traveled for years sharing their talent and music throughout the Pacific Northwest. She was also actively involved in the music programs at both the First Presbyterian Church and the First Lutheran Chruch in Ellensburg. During her retirement, Bonnie volunteered her time by teaching music at the Ellensburg Christian School. During which time she earned the title of “Dr. Bonnie.”

Bonnie was married to Ian Smith in 1975. Together, they enjoyed traveling, hiking, huckleberry picking, canoeing, their children and grandchildren for 39 years. She had a special interest in Geology and always said that she would have chosen that as a profession had she not followed her first love of music.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her late husband, Ian Smith. She is survived by her two siblings, Tim Bricker and Beth Bricker. Additional survivors include her daughter Holly Erdman, step children Cindy (Dan) Scheelsmith, Clint (Connie) Smith, Rhoda (Rod) Crispin and Cristi (Mike) Bosko, grandchildren Dillon Duncan, Dalton Duncan, Tyler Scheelsmith, Tyanna Scheelsmith, Katrina Watson, Cassandra (Conner) Smith, Erica (Isaac) Malm, Tyler (Erin) Bosko and great grandchildren Blaque, Sonora, Charity, Aria and Mattis.

Bonnie's family will host a service to honor and remember her life at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at the First Lutheran Church in Ellensburg.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg.