Bonnie Marie Cokinos

Andre,Liz and Family,

We are so sorry to hear about Miss Bonnie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

Andre and Stacie
We were on a trip and just heard about your mom. Our girls, Catherine and Christi loved every minute of their classes with Miss Bonnie. She not only taught little girls to dance, but taught them how to behave as ladies. It was a testament to her in that she could get a stage full of five year olds looking good on stage at recitals She gave her time and expertise to community organizations beyond her studio. We remember her teaching the dad's to waltz and bow for deb preparation and at other community events. I cannot think of anyone more loved by my girls than Miss Bonnie and Mr. Jimmie.

Miss Bonnie Cokinos, Lady of the Dance, Sets the Barre High for All Time

By Kathie Platt

Like hundreds of other young girls, and a few young men, my two daughters spent part of their childhoods and much of their adolescence under the discerning guidance of Miss Bonnie at the Bonnie Cokinos School of Dance. Several evenings a week (and, later, on Saturdays too as members of Beaumont Ballet Theatre’s Senior Company), my daughters received instruction in all forms of dance, as well as instruction in life. True to her reputation, Miss Bonnie served not only as Artistic Director, but also as mentor in the art of living well, in elegance, poise and grace.

Later, after her college years, Laura, my younger daughter was working for Miss Bonnie as an assistant dance instructor, when, at age 21, she suddenly fell ill with a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disease. The mystery and surprise of Laura’s sudden suffering hit Miss Bonnie hard and she expressed her concern as Laura’s employer, mentor and guardian angel by providing heartfelt care and support before and after Laura was able to return to studio to teach the young dancers under her tutelage. Because Miss Bonnie had also suffered an illness during Laura’s adolescence, the lady of grace and graciousness had developed a special compassion for those who suffered, especially the young.

During that year Laura worked with Miss Bonnie, a year full of successes and suffering, Laura was privileged to share some of Miss Bonnie’s most vibrant moments and most intimate confidences as Grande Dame of Beaumont Ballet Theatre. Laura was constantly impressed by Miss Bonnie’s wisdom, faith, high standards and patience, her determination to help the talented and untalented alike, her undiminished loveliness. “It is such a joy just to be with her,” Laura would tell me time and time again. “Do her students realize what an honor it is?”

The day after Laura made her off Broadway debut at the Pershing Signature Center’s Alice Griffin Theatre on 42nd Street, Miss Bonnie Cokinos quietly passed away. Laura and I received a phone call later that evening informing us of this sad news as we sat sipping coffee and enjoying gelato at Via Quadranno. The juxtaposition of recent events--the long journey that had landed Laura at last in the heart of Manhattan to pursue long-deferred dreams, against the backdrop of training from Beaumont to Great Britain to off Broadway--felt even more poignant in that moment of great sadness over the loss of Beaumont’s Grande Dame of Dance. Although she had not had recent contact with Miss Bonnie, Laura felt the loss deeply, personally, as if she had lost a mother and grandmother as well. The Head of Acting from Cardiff’s Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama had recently recognized Laura for her humanity in performance, a distinction I attribute at least in part to Miss Bonnie’s profound influence.

During the Liturgy of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 1, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont, Sean Carmon, former student of Miss Bonnie, and now a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, performed a moving liturgical dance before the altar as a final tribute and benediction to Miss Bonnie. In a surprise gesture to the Lady of the Dance and her legacy to Southeast Texas, The Reverend Monsignor Jeremiah J. McGrath ended his homily with his own acapella version of the Lord of the Dance:

I danced in the morning when my life begun,
And I danced on the moon, the stars and the sun,
When I came down from Heaven above
I danced on the earth with the greatest love.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Dear of the Dance, said she,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said she.

During her sojourn with us, and more than fifty years teaching dance, Miss Bonnie lead many young dancers onto careers in the arts or otherwise—imparting an example as rich as it is rare. Full of reverence and hope, The Reverend Monsignor pronounced the Final Commendation as parishioners sang the Song of Farewell to Miss Bonnie Marie Cokinos . . . May songs of the angels welcome you and guide you along your way . . . as songs of angels bring you home before the face of God.

As sad as this farewell will be for all her dancers, and the community who loved her, Miss Bonnie’s grace continues to shower us and we are grateful for all the gifts she gave us, especially the gift of herself as the Lady of the Dance.

I am so saddened at the loss of Miss Bonnie. She and I first met at Miss Judith's when she was a student assistant teacher. I took class from her as an adult as well. I will truly miss her. May she rest in peace now and along with her wonderful sweet husband. Prayers to the family.

I remember our years at dance class with Miss Judith. Also, one Saturday morning we looked out the window to watch you in the Lamar Homecoming parade when you were queen. Thank you for your influence on so many young people, you were our Audrey Hepburn. God is pleased that you are with Him in His heavenly kingdom.

I was very sad to read about Bonnie's death. I took dancing with her at Miss Judith's and then my daughter, Janell, took from Bonnie. She was the nicest, kindness lady. She certainly influenced a lot of young ladies in this area. I know she will be missed. Andre' and Stacie, I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Thank you for allowing me to be a chaperone at rhe dance con comventions and for giving my daughter her love of dance.

Deep peace of the running waves to you

DinahRhea Walters

I was privileged to have my daughter Stephanie Hoffer as a student in Bonnies classes. I also knew her personally. What a great gracious and wonderful teacher and person. A special light left us on September 27, 2016.

Dearest Stacie & Andre,

I am thinking of you both. Thank you for sharing your beautiful mother with all of us who had the privilege to dance under her direction. We were a family and she was our second mother. At the studio there was always such a positive energy! How could we forget her perfect posture, her commanding claps, her love of life and dance! Because of her drive and expectations, we learned to push ourselves, keep our heads high, and always smile until the curtain closed. She will always be remembered for her grace, charm, and elegant presence.

Much love,
Fantasy

So sorry to have read of Bonnie's passing. I am one of Miss. Judith's past students and danced with Bonnie for many years in recitals, at Ft. Polk in Louisiana entertaining the military, Dogwood Festival, etc. The list is too long for everything we shared. I had to put away my dance shoes long before Bonnie as Multiple Sclerosis took the ability to dance away from me. I remember those dance days with Bonnie with fond memories. Take comfort in the fact that she is with Jimmie and her parents at peace in the presence of God.