Bonnie Lanice Morris

She had an idyllic childhood on her parent’s 75-acre children’s equestrian camp, Rocking Horse Stables. She had an immense love for animals and always had a menagerie of rescue animals running around. She moved to Penn Yan, New York, in 1978 and shortly after founded Lake Valley Realty, one of the largest real estate agencies in the Finger Lakes.

In 1998, she moved to Lake Placid with her three children — Chris, Sarah and Emma — and was the director of sales at the Whiteface Club & Resort until 2004. Later she had her boutique brokerage that allowed her to travel extensively around the world and to nearly every state with her dogs, Sami and Tate, and cats, Booch and Bobbi.

She never stayed in one place for very long and loved planning trips with her children in the RV. Some of her favorite places were Sante Fe, New Mexico; Carpinteria, California; the Oregon coast; and the Salt River in Mesa, Arizona. Bonnie was an avid photographer and constantly took stunning pictures, particularly of wildlife. She was in the process of fixing up a boat with her daughter, Emma (an ongoing project) and they frequently went camping, hiking and kayaking together. She was a hands-on advocate for wild horses in the U.S. and frequently spoke out about their mistreatment and abuse. Whenever possible she helped rescue horses, most frequently former thoroughbreds sent to slaughter from the rodeo and racing industries.

Bonnie had a lasting impact on everyone that she met; she was an extraordinarily generous and free-spirited person. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Bonnie was a proud and devoted mother to Christopher Morris Schuck, Sarah Morris Schuck and Emma Johanna Morris Downey. She is also survived by her sister, Linda Mertsock, and her beloved animals.

She was predeceased by her parents, 1st Lt. Landis D. Morris and Bernice H. Olsen, and two brothers, Wyman and Duke Morris.

There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Return to Freedom – Wild Horse Conservation, Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary or the Joshua Fund, Inc. Dog Rescue.

The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements.

Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com.