Bonnie Hadley Obituary

Bonnie Lucille "Lucy" Hadley passed away October 29, 2025, surrounded by family. Lucy was born November 2, 1935, to Neal and Kathryn Leatherwood Hadley in Paonia, Colorado. She graduated from Paonia High School in 1953 and Western State College in 1957. Lucy then moved to Cortez where she taught second grade and elementary special education for more than thirty years.

Lucy was an accomplished artist who won many awards for her quilting. She attended and taught watercolor painting classes. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Cortez History Preservation, Cortez Cultural Center, and several other groups where she will be remembered for her selflessness volunteering.

Lucy loved to travel and made multiple trips to Alaska and Hawaii. She visited Europe, the Holy Land, Australia, and New Zealand. She also traveled much of the United States with her lifelong friend, Eulalia Skinner, in a Ford Model A on numerous antique car tours.

She was an avid skier and swimmer who also enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, friend Eulalia Skinner, brother-in-law Stan Francis, and niece-in-law Bonnie Francis. She is survived by her sister, Mary Sue Francis, nephew Robert Francis, nieces Darlene (Ken) Sustrich and Debbie (Mike) Davis, great-nephews Luke and Jake Sustrich, countless friends, and former students.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cortez Cultural Center, a cause close to Lucy's heart, or to the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will he held Saturday, November 22, at 10 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church of Cortez.

515 North Park Street

Cortez, CO 81321