Bonavita Flores

It is with great sadness that the family of Bonavita M. Ferguson-Flores announce her passing on February 26, 2024. Bonavita passed peacefully in her sleep in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 83.

Bonavita was born in Taos, New Mexico to Columbus and Elsie Burch Ferguson. "Bonnie," as most people called her, was the eldest of six children. Bonnie enjoyed sharing her memories and history of her humble beginnings in a small town. Her colorful stories captured her experiences growing up surrounded by a large extended family, playing in the fields with her cousins, walking with her sister and best friend Emma to Taos High School and into town to socialize.

Bonnie frequently spoke of her close and special relationship with her Grandmother Terecita who lived next door to the Ferguson family home. Bonnie claimed her strong work ethic was developed in part by her Grandma Terecita who encouraged her to work and would pay Bonnie twenty-five cents to perform household chores. Bonnie said it made her so happy to have a dime to go to the movies, money to buy a doll or a piece of fabric to make a new skirt.

After graduating from high school Bonnie worked in Taos at the local bank and was a car hop and waitress at El Capitan Restaurant owned by Pablo and Delia Flores. It was at El Capitan that she fell in love and married the owner's son, George Flores, who had just returned from a tour with the US Navy.

Bonnie moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico with George in 1961 so he could complete his degrees at the University of New Mexico. They had three children and eventually moved to Petaluma, California where George accepted a position with the Bank of America. Shortly thereafter Bonnie and her family moved to Richmond, Virginia where this young couple prepared for a life in the Middle East with the Foreign Service.

In her youth, Bonnie always shared with her family her dream to travel overseas and explore the world. Finally, her dream came true and she helped move her young family to Afghanistan around 1970. Bonnie enjoyed being exposed to a whole new world and different cultures that traveling abroad gave to her. India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Greece and Yugoslavia were some of her favorite countries that she particularly enjoyed.

While traveling Bonnie developed an appreciation for all ethnic foods and preparing international meals, but always reminisced fondly about her mother's simple home-cooked meals including "quelites" which Bonnie and her sister Emma would go pick from the fields, mashed potatoes with red chile, chicken noodle soup and "whatever was in the refrigerator" casseroles.

Bonnie moved herself and children to Albuquerque in 1974, was divorced in 1976 and never remarried. In 1982 she lost her youngest daughter in a tragic motorcycle accident. These life events had a deep impact on Bonnie and It was at this time that she devoted her life to God and studying the Bible daily. She always claimed it was the Word of God which shaped her identity and gave her inner peace, hope and strength.

Bonnie worked in a number of office positions during her lifetime and took a variety of courses which prepared her for a long fulfilling career with the New Mexico State Taxation and Revenue Department where she retired at the age of 62.

Retirement gave Bonnie the time to spend more time with her family and explore her interests, passions and creative pursuits. She always expressed how blessed she was to be a single, financially independent woman. She traveled throughout the United States, began oil painting, spent long hours gardening and remodeling her home, enjoyed spirited debates over politics and opened her home to shelter and care for strays and rescue dogs and cats. Her dog Honey Boy and three cats Little Rascal, Suzie and Annie were loving companions and part of her family during most of her retirement.

Bonavita will be remembered as a strong, independent, opinionated woman who was a faithful follower of Father Jehovah and her lord and savior Jesus Christ. Before Bonnie passed she praised God and thanked him for giving her a long life, a good life and beautiful children. She said she felt peace and love and wanted people to "Think Happy Thoughts." Bonnie's final words were "there is an appointed time for everyone," and she asked her loved ones to "not hold on."

Bonavita is preceded in death by her parents Columbus and Elsie Burch Ferguson, daughter Yolanda Marie Flores and brothers Robert and Michael Ferguson.

Those left behind who will eternally treasure memories of Bonavita are daughter Lavinia Cynthia Flores-Fenzi (David Leeds Fenzi), son Mark Timothy Flores; brothers Joseph Ferguson and Adam Ferguson, sisters Emma Ferguson-Ortiz and Patty Ferguson-Hunt; grandchildren Yvonna Marie Fenzi-Olson (Christopher Olson), Austin Ferguson Fenzi, Mark T. Flores Jr. (Rosa Sanchez Flores), Teodoro D. Flores (Elena Struck-Flores), Andrew J. Flores (Sandra Paiz Flores); great grandchildren Xavien Alexander Olson, Natalia A. Flores, Tatiana E. Flores, Alexis E. Flores, Juliana C. Flores, Avah E. Flores, Feliz Flores; nephews Greg Flores, Eric Flores, Craig Ferguson, Matthew Ferguson, Patrick Ferguson (deceased), Brian Gonzales; nieces Tracy Gonzales O'such, Claudia Ortiz-Martinez, Amy Ortiz. Special friends of Bonnie include: Margaret Gorman, Leroy Lucero and Stacey Stomp.

Funeral arrangements have been made with French Funerals and Cremations. A "Celebration of Life" service for Bonnie is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 15, 2024 at FRENCH-Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque NM 87109. Bonavita will then be laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery next to her beloved daughter Yolanda.

Pallbearers are Eric Flores, Mark T. Flores Jr., Teddy Flores, Andrew Flores, Chris Olson and David Fenzi. The graveside sermon will be led by Marcos T. Flores Jr. followed by a eulogy by Lavinia Flores-Fenzi.