“Love like your life depends on it.”

Bonnie Elaine Worden, age 79, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, surrounded by the love of her family.

Bonnie was born on June 27, 1947, in Salmon, Idaho, to Lawrence Edwin Baker and Violet Mae Baker. The eldest of five children, she developed a caring and nurturing spirit at an early age. From childhood, her greatest dream was to become a mother, a role she would embrace with unwavering love and devotion throughout her life.

Bonnie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Her family was the center of her world, and she found her greatest happiness in loving, encouraging, and caring for those around her.

Later in life, Bonnie pursued her dream of becoming a registered nurse. She worked in emergency medicine and the cardiovascular intensive care unit, where she found a special calling in caring for patients and families facing life’s most difficult moments. Her gentle touch, compassion, and ability to provide comfort and dignity made a lasting difference in the lives of those she served.

But Bonnie’s gift for caring extended far beyond her nursing career.

She possessed a rare ability to make people feel truly seen, heard, and loved. She believed in meeting people where they were, extending grace instead of judgment, and always assuming positive intent. Bonnie never knew a stranger for long. She had a wonderful way of collecting people, and once she welcomed someone into her heart, they became family.

Bonnie loved life’s simple pleasures and great adventures alike. Her home was filled with laughter, music, homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and treasured family traditions. She especially loved Thanksgiving gatherings, when family came together to share food, stories, and memories. Whether enjoying a roller coaster, spending time with her grandchildren, or simply sharing a conversation, Bonnie embraced life with warmth, curiosity, and a wonderful sense of humor.

She was also a cherished part of Crops of Luv, a family-run nonprofit organization dedicated to creating personalized scrapbooks for children and families whose lives have been touched by serious illness. Working alongside her family, Bonnie helped organize scrapbook requests and lovingly created embellishments for the albums. She believed deeply in preserving memories and understood that even the smallest acts of kindness could leave a lasting impact.

Bonnie’s faith was an important foundation of her life. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she found strength in her belief in Jesus Christ, the importance of serving others, and the eternal nature of families. Her faith was reflected not only in what she believed but in the way she treated others, with compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, and unconditional love.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Kartchner Worden; her parents, Lawrence Edwin Baker and Violet Mae Baker; her sister, Nancy Baker; and her brother, William Baker.

She is survived by her loving children, Jody McNelis, Lisa Worden, and James Worden and his wife, Ronda Worden; her brothers, Dennis Baker and George Baker; and her sister-in-law, Peggy Baker.

She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Joseph Worden, Taylor Worden, Megan Worden, Makenzie Tartan, and Michael Tartan; and her precious great-grandchildren, Jolene Worden, Thea Tartan, Jeffrey James “JJ” Worden, and Jett Tartan.

Bonnie is also survived by numerous beloved nieces and nephews, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives were forever enriched by her love and kindness.

Bonnie’s greatest legacy is not measured by the years she lived, but by the lives she touched. She taught her family to look for the good in others, to offer grace freely, and to love wholeheartedly. She believed that life’s hardships did not have to define us and that each of us could choose to become something beautiful in spite of them.

Like the sunflowers she loved, Bonnie reminded those around her that even in life’s darkest moments, there is always light to turn toward.

Although her absence leaves an immeasurable emptiness in the hearts of those who loved her, her family finds comfort in the promise of eternal families and the belief that she has been reunited with her beloved husband and loved ones who went before her.

Her love will live on in every cherished memory, every family tradition, every act of kindness, and every life made better simply because Bonnie was part of it.

Celebration of Life

A memorial service celebrating Bonnie’s life will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints2002 N. Greasewood Rd.Tucson, AZ 85745

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend and celebrate her remarkable life.

Flowers and Memorial Donations

Flowers are welcome and appreciated; however, the family kindly requests that floral tributes be kept modest.

Those wishing to send flowers are asked to have them delivered to:

1269 W. Laporte LaneTucson, AZ 85714

Please do not send flowers directly to the church, as no one will be available to receive deliveries.

In lieu of additional flowers, the family encourages memorial donations to Crops of Luv, a nonprofit organization that was near and dear to Bonnie’s heart.

Donations will help continue the work she loved, preserving precious memories for children and their families.

Memorial donations: www.cropsofluv.org

“A life preserved is a life remembered.”

Forever loved. Forever remembered. Until we meet again.

Keep turning toward the light. 🌻