Bonnie Rebecca Beverage, born in Marlinton, West Virginia on May 8, 1944, and died in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 4, 2026. She was raised by her grandparents Adam and Mary Beverage who along with her teachers saw and nurtured her potential and thirst for knowledge. Bonnie graduated as Valedictorian from high school and received a full scholarship to West Virginia University graduating Phi Beta Kappa. After backpacking around Europe and spending time in Mexico, Bonnie found her calling as a teacher. Her 27-year career began in the fields of English and German. She spent the last 20 years working with special needs students. During this time, Bonnie volunteered with the Special Olympics to broaden the scope of her students’ experiences. Later, she served on the Special Olympics Board and convinced them to bring the Winter Games to Ski Butler in Carrollton, Kentucky. While teaching full-time, she received her master’s degree and Rank I standing from the University of Cincinnati.

In 1988, Bonnie attended a meditation retreat in North Carolina. Ten years later, she became an authorized Dharma (Buddhist Teacher) under Jacqueline Mandell. Bonnie taught the History of Buddhism and meditation at the University of Cincinnati and Communiversity. During this time, she wrote a small table book, Impermanence, The Only Lesson You Will Ever Need – containing her photography and sayings inspired by the Dharma.

Bonnie spent the last 2 years of her teaching career as President of the Boone County Education Association (BCEA) retiring in 2007. Her health took a turn, preventing her from continuing her passion for teaching Buddhism and meditation, going on retreats, and pursuing her artistic practice in photography.

Bonnie continued her own personal path with the Dharma until she passed. She once said, “Once you have seen certain truths such as Impermanence, you can never go home again.” Her final thought to share with those who outlived her was, “Anything that I have accomplished is not as important as what I have survived.”

Funeral services will be announced and held at a later date. Donations in her name can be made to any organization of your choice supporting her other passion – the well-being of animals.