SHERMAN, Margaret T.

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from November 10 to November 17, 2011 - Margaret "Bonnie" T. Sherman, age 84, a 52-year resident of Needles, Calif., passed away Saturday, November 5, 2011, in Joshua Tree, Calif., after suffering a stroke several days earlier. Born Margaret Tredwell in Chicago, Ill. on April 8, 1927, to parents, John and Westanna Brown Tredwell, "Bonnie" earned her law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1951. She interned at the City Prosecutor's Office and practiced real estate law before meeting Needles resident, Clarence "Sherm" Sherman, who was on vacation in the area. After falling in love with Sherm, and marrying him in July, 1959, she also fell in love with Needles and the marvelous Mohave Valley. Bonnie was a tireless goodwill ambassador for the Needles area, telling all who would listen of its charms and peaceful serenity. She delighted in showing friends and family sites of local significance, from ancient pictographs and petroglyphs to the Mystic Maze, Mojave River flood plain and various geological formations. She was fascinated by local Indian language, culture and customs, developing friendships with several members of the Mojave tribe. Bonnie considered learning a lifelong endeavor and never ceased to be fascinated by new ideas, theories and concepts. In spite of suffering from bipolar disorder, and the effects of primitive treatments rendered before this illness was fully understood, Bonnie generally maintained an optimistic outlook on life and a genuine love for her fellow man. Sherm and Bonnie developed the "Sherman Shores" mobile home park on the Colorado River (now the Palms River Resort), living on the site and befriending many "snowbirds" who wintered in Needles. In addition, she bought and managed several local rental properties. They were active in the Shriners, Masonic Lodge, Business & Professional Women (BPW) and other civic organizations, acting as gracious hosts at their riverside home. They were regulars at the Wagon Wheel and when fire struck the restaurant many years ago, Sherm and Bonnie loaned the money for the extensive repairs required. When Sherm died in June, 1980, Bonnie soldiered on, determined to contribute to her community and remain productive. She served on the Board of BPW and was instrumental in sponsoring a girls home in Africa. She also volunteered at the Senior Center and the Social Services Dept., serving on various local committees. Together with other Needles residents, including the late Maggie McShan, John Hohstadt and others, they worked as long as their health would allow, to improve the quality of life in the area and promote its virtues. Sometimes generous to a fault, Bonnie attended several local churches and believed in obeying the admonition of Proverbs 19:17, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord…" In 2001, Bonnie was preceded in death by her sister, Suzanne Baxter. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Wilma Sherman Maldonado of Fresno, Calif.; niece, Dianne Gilman of Peoria, Ill.; two nephews Robert Baxter of Atlanta, Ga., and Richard Baxter of Tuscon, Ariz., and her loving caretaker, Virginia McAllister, of Needles, Calif. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 10, 2011, at Dimond & Sons Needles Mortuary, 222 E. Street, Needles, Calif. A graveside service will follow at Needles Riverview Cemetery, 1101 E. Broadway, Needles, Calif.