Bonnie McJilton Maloney
Bonnie McJilton Maloney, 75, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, died in her Lake Forest Park home on August 9th. Born in 1940 to Irl L. and Elinor S. McJilton, Bonnie grew up in Rochester, NY. She was an active Girl Scout during her youth, and loved to ice skate and play the piano. In 1947, she and her parents welcomed her brother Paul into the world.
After graduating from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Rochester in 1957, Bonnie attended Georgetown University where she met her husband, James J. (Jim) Maloney. Settling with Jim in Arlington, VA, Bonnie balanced parenthood with her career, working on Capitol Hill throughout the 1960s, and then taking a position with the U.S. Census Bureau in 1969. She 
retired from the Census Bureau in 1999, after which she moved to Seattle to be closer to her daughter. In 2001, she began working as a temporary administrative assistant with various branch offices of Edward Jones Investments, and in 2003, she joined the company full time as a Branch Office Administrator in their Wallingford location. She remained with the company until August 2016.
Bonnie was an avid gardener all her life. She took great pride in creating beautiful, inviting outdoor spaces everywhere she lived. Those who knew her best will remember her love of azaleas, day lilies, and irises. She also enjoyed entertaining; she was known in Arlington for her wonderful Christmas Eve open houses, Super Bowl parties, and the Halloween bashes she hosted for her church choir.
Never content to let mind stagnate, Bonnie always had a book or three on her nightstand and a crossword puzzle on the kitchen table next to her Pepsi. She loved to keep her hands busy as well, and in 2006, she began taking pottery classes at North Seattle College. She remained active in their pottery program until her death, 
producing dozens of hand-built pieces, large and small. Over the past several years, she also took jewelry making and silversmithing classes; she particularly loved working with enamels and semi-precious stones. She was a longtime member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arlington, VA, and she sang in their adult choir for over a decade. After moving to Seattle, she joined St. Alphonsus in Ballard where she was active in the choir until 2015.
Bonnie will be joyfully remembered for her sharp intellect, her warmth and generosity, and her ability to make anyone laugh.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Christopher P. and Mitchell Brown Maloney of Auburn, AL; her son Gregory W. Maloney, of Manassas, VA; her daughter Mary C. (Molly) Maloney, of Seattle, WA; her grandchildren, Theo Lasky, Barrett Maloney, and Ellie Maloney; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Paul, and her husband Jim.
Celebrations honoring Bonnie’s life will be held in the Seattle area in early fall and in Virginia later in the fall. Memorials in her name may be made to the Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph (2215 NE 147th Street, Seattle, WA, 98155) or the Girl Scouts of Western Washington (https://www.girlscoutsww.org).
17 Responses to “Bonnie McJilton Maloney”
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I was a guest in Bonnie’s home twice. She was very welcoming to me and at the same time she projected an unmistakable attitude of one who did not suffer fools gladly. I liked her very much and I feel grateful that I had the opportunity to meet her. I offer my sincerest condolences to Bonnie’s entire family.
Always a mentor who shared her wit and knowledge with an abundance of love. I will be forever grateful and honored to have her as my Aunt.
I was a guest in her home a number of times. She was kind and a no-nonsense person… very much like Molly – I thought… I know she will be missed and I am happy to say I had the pleasure of meeting her. Condolences to the whole family….
Oh golly, Bonnie was the neatest neighbor a person could ask for. She always had time for some conversation and an opinion on everything – and her expressions… She was the master at expressing her opinion without saying a word.
My condolences to Bonnie’s family and friends. I had the lovely opportunity to work with Bonnie, she had the huge burden of training me as a new Financial Advisor! She was so patient as I learned the basics, and made me laugh, and reminded me not to take everything too seriously as I fumbled my way through things… every time I scan a document I think of her smiling face, and generous time spent teaching me.
I will miss Bonnie’s high energy and dry wit.
Rest in peace,my dear sui generis friend! Always think of you and our “pond madness” we shared.
I had the pleasure of knowing Bonnie for the last two years as I joined the Edward Jones family. She had the brightest smile and was so enthusiastic of our support of the Toys for Tots program. I will miss her face this year as we collect toys. She was one of the best parts of coming to Seattle to pick up toys. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will be missed.
Bonnie Maloney was kind, generous, welcoming and funny! As a new full time BOA I remember calling her with a “quick” question — we became friends immediately! She was always available to anyone who needed her – as a mentor, co-worker and friend. She made beautiful jewelry and pottery which she was so happy to share with others. I will miss her crazy sense of humor and kind face.
It was a joy to know you Bonnie….I so enjoyed listening to your stories…you will be missed…
I met Bonnie as a Communion Minister for the Home bound at St. Alphonsus Church in Ballard. Bonnie was so dedicated and absolutely loved the home bound parishioners she ministered to. She told me that she made it a point to spend extra time with each person so they would know they had a friend whom they could call if needed.
The first time I met Bonnie, I loved her. She always had a smile of her face. I even felt her smile over the phone. She was smart, kind and caring. Her sense of humor was hysterical. I will miss her very much.
I worked with Bonnie for many years at Edward Jones. She was kind, warm, funny, very inquisitive about everything, and had a huge, caring heart for everyone! She had a difficult life at times herself, but she never failed to ask you how you were doing. Her focus was always about what she could do for you. I miss her big smile, loving guidance and fun spirit!!
I only heard of Bonnie’s death this morning. Very sad day. I’ll always think fondly of how she managed a group of teenage boys with aplomb. Bonnie was like a second mother to me. I’ll never forget her taking me, along with all her children, to the beach when Elvis died. Didn’t realize what a fan she was. Rest in Peace Bonnie. My thoughts are with the Maloney’s. God Bless all.
I knew Bonnie from singing in the choir in Arlington, VA. My husband and I have pictures of several Halloween Parties we attended in her home. We have missed her and her wit and intelligence. Rest in peace Bonnie. We will sing together again in the end. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends!
Cindy and Terry
I have written to Molly almost a month ago about my
many events with Bonnie, especially through St. Agnes
choir. For those of you who are reading these comments
that sang with Bonnie, I just want to remind us all that
it was Bonnie who gave us the first grand piano to us in
the music program. I will ever be grateful and will
always remember her friendship to me and her support to
the music program at St. Agnes.
I just googled my old friend, Bonnie, from High School,and find her in the obits. My condolences to her family. We graduated in 1958 from A.S.H. and I looked for her once before some years ago. Couldn’t find her then – still in shock, as I’m typing. We had some good laughs back then. May you rest in peace, my friend, and may you laugh and sing with the angels now!