BONALYN-ALETHE VENESS MUNSON, 96, died peacefully in her sleep August 16th, 2023.
Known to family and friends as “Bon,” she was born May 11, 1927, to Sarah Margaret (Stone) and Victor Fremont Veness in Rochester, New York. She grew up in Waterloo, New York and attended Green Mountain College, Boston University and Boise State University.
She married Theodore E Munson in Providence, Rhode Island and they lived in Ithaca, NY, Juneau, AK, Syracuse, NY, Cleveland, OH and Fullerton, CA before settling in Boise, ID in 1968.
She was a devout Episcopalian and did volunteer work for many years including Lenten Lunches and the Alter Guild along various other duties she was asked to perform for St Michaels Cathedral.
She belonged to many organizations in Boise, including D ‘Easum’s Ding-A-Lings, The Cultural Improvement Society, and the Go Go’s. (It was her special request that these be mentioned!)
Bon had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. She was also an avid adventurer and traveled extensively. Ranging from last-minute road trips with her children and/or grandchildren in her 1968 Cadillac she called Maude, jumping on a flight to Seattle or New York to visit family, or various other destinations around the world where she always made new friends.
She loved Boise and Idaho. She volunteered her time and gave financial support to many organizations during her fifty-five years in her beloved city, including, but not limited to: Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Dance Theatre, Boise Philharmonic, Boise Music Week, Boise Rescue Mission, Alzheimer’s Association, Easter Seals, Idaho Food Bank, Idaho Humane Society, Metro Meals on Wheels, Ronald McDonald House, St Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral, Boston University, and Boise State University.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, two daughters, and one son.
She is survived by three children Gayle Munson (Ray), Jan Madarieta (Lon), and Richard Munson, seven grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews, nieces, and their families.
While we feel deep sadness and mourn the loss of the matriarch of our family, we take comfort knowing she will be joining our Lord and Savior in a blessed reunion with those that made the journey before her.
The family will hold a celebration of life September 18, 2023, from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Bishops’ House, 2420 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise, ID.
With her love of music and her desire to help others, she asked in lieu of flowers, if possible, that donations be made to the:
Veness Munson Endowed Scholarship
Boise State Foundation
1173 W University Dr
Boise, Idaho 83706