Bonnie (Brooks) Oden

Born at Sibley Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, February 19, 1952 with her twin brother Brian Brooks. Both survived the odds as premie-babies, Bonnie weight only two pounds at birth.

Bonnie graduated from Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Md on Monday, June 8, 1970.

Soon after graduation, Bonnie began a career at the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC with 27 years at the Board - Legal Division and 10 years in the office of General Council.

She married George D. Oden on Saturday, August 14, 1971 and their union brought two daughters; Jennifer Lynne born Tuesday, July 29, 1975 and Katherine Rene born Friday, August 5th, 1983.

Their first home was in Lewisdale, Md before moving to Lanham, Md in 1979.

George and Bonnie separated in June of 1985 and were later divorced on Friday, June 21, 1985.

Bonnie raised both daughters, for a brief time working a second job and always working as much overtime as possible at the Federal Reserve, in the house in Lanham, Md. Seeing them both graduate from Parkdale High School; Jennifer in 1993 and Kathy in 2001. Kathy later graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelors degree in 2008.

Bonnie became a grandmother for the first time in 1994 and found great joy in spoiling them all. She took them on vacations, many movies, pool trips and taught them the joy of swimming. When she passed she had 4 grandchildren and a 5th she just missed meeting. Matthew, Summer, Meagan, and Savanna were the lights of her life.

Bonnie retired from “The Fed” in May of 2007 after almost 37 years of exemplary work finishing as Executive Assistant to General Counsel, Scott Alvarez.

During retirement Bonnie work several jobs and enjoyed gaining new friendships, with one in particular that blossomed into a romance that spanned almost 3 years.

Rodger Lancaster made Bonnie live again these last few years...she spent all her free time with him. They shared New Years Eve and watched “the ball” drop to ring in 2018 together in her hospital room. The family is very thankful for Rodger and the happiness he brought to Bonnie.