Bonnie Jean Blair

Bonnie Jean Blair, long-time resident of Colorado Springs, passed away on Thursday, Ocotober 4, 2018, after the 87-year-old succumbed to lung cancer and related disease. She was born to the late Hector Brule and Genevieve Meron on April 20, 1931, in Marshall, Minnesota.

A homemaker most of her life, the business vocational training she received after graduating from high school led her to become one of Colorado's first computer key punch card technicians after her divorce from her first husband, the late Roger W. Collins, in 1960.

Roger and she were married in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1951 where he was briefly stationed for radar technician training as a U.S.A.F. staff sergeant. The couple later lived at Lackland Air Force Base while he attended Officer Training School.

Prior to marrying late film editor Arnold Blair in 1967, she worked as a fashion model and administrative assistant for the now-defunct Alexander Film Company. After their marriage, she resumed her life as a homemaker. She maintained that calling following their divorce in 1987.

She always had a passion for the outdoors, and spent a major part of her leisure time either camping, fishing, or hiking. An avid gardener, she loved animals, particularly her pet dogs.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Adam Beauchamp and son-in-law Barry S. Davidson. She is survived by her son, Steven W. Collins, and his wife, Vivian, daughter, Cheryl Beauchamp-Davidson, two great-grandchildren, Tara Jelsma and Kamdon Boyd, sister Genevieve DePyper,  brother Leonard Brule and numerous nieces and nephews.

She touched many lives with her strength, joy, and love and will be greatly missed.