Bonnie D. Coombs

Bonnie Dufour Coombs, born June 23, 1944, to Ernest and Ruth Dufour of Auburn, NH. She passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 3, 2023, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. 

Bonnie grew up in Woburn, MA. As the story goes, Bonnie gave up a private education to finish public high school with her best friend Betty. After high school, she attended Northeastern University and that’s when she met her first husband James B. Waterman III. Following college, they moved to the New London, CT area where they had three children. 

Bonnie and her family moved to New Hampshire where her children grew up. After a divorce, Bonnie started anew with the love of her life Kenneth Coombs with whom she cherished 35 years of true love and adventures up until Ken’s passing in 2014. 

Bonnie's early career was spent as an executive assistant in multiple companies while living on Pawtuckaway Lake, until 1987, when she and Ken uprooted to Jackman, ME after purchasing a campground, laundromat, and hunting lodge business, as well as, publishing the town's bi-weekly newspaper The Border Reporter. 7 years later and yearning to be closer to their growing family, they moved back to NH. After a few moves, they settled in Andover, NH. Bonnie, along with Ken, began a not-for-profit organization called The Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association in Puerto Rico, which also began their mutual love for the island. They enjoyed their collaborative lifestyle. Among her many talents, she was also a gifted craftswoman, knitter, seamstress, writer & poet, cook, and avid reader! She was…The Matriarch of all things festive and crafty!

Bonnie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Kenneth I. Coombs and survived by her loving family which includes her three biological children; James B. Waterman IV, her twin daughters Karen Niemyer and Andrea Leary and partner Tom Desrosiers; and biological grandchildren: Joshua J. Leary, Joseph A. Leary, Jesse S. Niemyer, and Garrett J. Niemyer. 

Stepchildren include Karalee Coombs, Kathryn Furbish, Karla Coombs, and Kimberly Rex.

Siblings include Sister Nancy Miles (deceased) and husband Bob (deceased), Skip Dufour and wife Janet, Jonathon Dufour and wife Laurie; and was lovingly referred to as ‘Auntie Bonnie’ to many nieces and nephews, and a beloved cousin to many. 

Bonnie held the endearing title of Nana to her many adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren including Nicholas Kane, Kaitlyn Kane, Max Furbush, Mason Furbush, Dylan Coombs-Pierce, Samantha Love, Logan Eldridge, Brittani Perry, Jacob Rex, Allie Lamolinara, Bradley Griffin, Owen Perry and Evelyn Perry. 

Bonnie’s family meant the world to her, keeping her very busy and her life vibrant and blissfully fulfilled. 

SERVICES: A celebration will be held in her birth month of June, as the warmth of summer was her favorite season. A brief memorial visitation will be held on June 23, 2023 from 11am - 12pm at the Cremation Society of NH, 172 King Street, Boscawen, NH. A service will follow visitation at 12pm, after which those attending will be invited to join the family for a catered lunch. There will be an intimate ceremony at 3pm at the NH State Veteran’s Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway in Boscawen, NH, open to anyone that feels a pull and would like to witness her final resting place with her beloved husband Ken.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Bonnie's name are asked to consider a donation to the Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association (www.rameyafb.net) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation (https://www.michaeljfox.org/).