Bonnie Bowman, longtime administrative assistant at Hackman’s Bible Bookstore in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, in her home. She was 61.

Bowman worked for more than 40 years in many capacities for Hackman’s. She was also active in her Mennonite church.

In reflecting on Bowman’s life, store owner Joe Hackman posted a tribute on Facebook.

“She was always a positive person and a good buffer for my pessimistic spirit,” he wrote. “She was also a great listener. My wife and I would sometimes gather informally with Bonnie to discuss family and church, and tell funny stories about our lives. Bonnie was very proud of her husband, Jim, and their life together. They had an open, honest, great marriage. The pictures of her family Bonnie kept in her office showed how much she loved them.

“Bonnie’s daily prayer life started at 5 o’clock in the morning with a cup of her beloved coffee. We know that she prayed for the store, the staff, and her family and friends. Her life at the bookstore was exemplary. She was very proud of working at Hackman’s and was never afraid to tell us. She was very loyal to our mission statement and treated her job like a mission. She and I planned hundreds of events together over the years. She was the driving force behind most of the great events that Hackman’s hosted throughout the years. She approached each event professionally and with a quiet tenacity. Among the events we planned together were a signing with Charles Stanley and a signing with Chuck Swindoll, as well as helping to bring the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to the Valley on multiple occasions.

“My wife occasionally called Bonnie my ‘business wife.’ She kept me organized and successful for over 30 years. Since I am not very experienced with computers, Bonnie always covered my deficiencies with the utmost of care! Bonnie truly had the respect of her fellow employees, and she was always encouraging and sensitive to each and every one.”

Bowman battled cancer, and when the Hackmans first learned of the diagnosis, it was a blow.

“When Bonnie first told Marcia and I that she had cancer it stopped us in our tracks. Bonnie, the rock of Hackman’s, was vulnerable to this disease. Bonnie told us the news with the calmness that only she could bring. Watching Bonnie over the next 4+ years cope every day was clearly remarkable. How she and Jim stayed upbeat I’ll never know. Whenever you asked Bonnie how she was doing, she would give a positive response, then ask you how you were doing. As the end drew near, our mental anguish of asking ‘why’ became more in the forefront. How, God, could a true child of Yours suffer so much? Why did family, friends and business associates have to suffer so? Never answers, just questions. As I reflect on the life of Bonnie Bowman, I know that this quiet, serene lady has left us with much. Her faith, love and steadfastness have permeated our lives forever. As it says in James 1:12, ‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.’ I believe that if anyone deserves a crown in Heaven, it’s Bonnie.”

Bowman was married to James M. Bowman for 39 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters and their husbands, a son and his wife, and other family members.

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