Aurlo and Virginia Bonney were inseparable in life. Nor could they be separated by death itself.
Virginia left this world on June 11, 2008, after nearly 66 years of loving marriage to Aurlo A. Bonney. She was born Virginia Merle Combs Nov. 10, 1918, in Columbus, MT. He was born March 4, 1916, in Tygh Valley, OR and left this world eight and one half days later than Virginia on June 20, 2008.
Aurlo and Virginia found each other when Aurlo was Virginia's younger sister's English teacher and her mother was the PTSA president.  They were married on July 3, 1943, at Fort Monmouth, N.J., in the midst of World War II. He then served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army in the Signal Corps in Italy for 2 years.
Their long life together blessed the lives of many others, most of all their two sons, Allan and William Bonney, their daughter-in-law, Kathleen, and their three granddaughters, Tara, Shanley and Bryn.
Virginia was a devoted homemaker and volunteer, a fundraiser for charities and active member of the Parent-Teacher Association. Aurlo was a distinguished educator. After graduating from Central Washington Teacher College in 1936, he began teaching in Tieton and returned to the classroom, in Seattle, after returning from World War II.
In 1947, Aurlo became principal of Brighton Elementary School; in 1953, principal of Washington Junior High School; in 1956, principal of James Madison Junior High School, all in Seattle. He earned his Doctorate in
Education in 1958.
Aurlo finally retired from education in 1975; he had served in the profession for 39 years, including 28 as a principal. After retirement he served as executive secretary of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, as president of the West Seattle Lions Club, and president of the South Seattle Community College Foundation. He served on the finance commitee for the college until several years ago.
Aurlo and Virginia lived in West Seattle before moving to The Hearthstone, by Green Lake.  All who knew them were struck by Aurlo's generosity, dignity, and humor  and by Virginia's sparkling eyes, grace, empathy, and beauty.
They were exemplary parents and grandparents, devoted and loving confidants to their children and grandchildren. They were models of lives well-lived. Their character was reflected in their enduring marriage, which was built upon unfailing mutual devotion and respect.
While Aurlo was heartbroken by Virginia's death, their separation was brief. Their loved ones are grieved by their deaths, but no one would have wanted them apart from each other, in this life or the next.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions made in their name to the Hearthstone Memory Care Fund, or the American Heart Association.

Published July 9, 2008 in the West Seattle Herald.