Bonita “Bonnie” Williams Tennant, one of the founding members and concert mistress of the Auburn Chamber Orchestra as well as director of the Auburn High School orchestra, which she built from a group of six to about 100, has died.

Bonnie, 62, of Auburn, died at Matthew House on Friday.

Born in Meadville, Pa., she ultimately moved to Auburn in 1986, where, as an accomplished violinist, she taught music at Auburn High School for 19 years, retiring in 2001.

As a composer, she used some of her music with students at Auburn High School, who unknowingly performed many pieces composed under her maiden name.

Bonnie also conducted the pit orchestra for musicals put on by students at the high school.

She judged student performances for the New York State School Music Association, where she critiqued individuals as well as conducted in those events.

“She was an extremely dedicated person,” Karen Deming said. Deming's two children studied music under Bonnie's direction, and the Deming family also knew Bonnie from First United Methodist Church of Auburn, where Bonnie conducted choirs. Eileen Mc Nabb, 33, Deming's daughter and Tennant's student, said Bonnie cared as much for students who were just beginning as for those who were more accomplished.

“She touched so many people,” Mc Nabb said.

“She was a good role model for children and her students,” Mc Nabb said. “She married Ted Tennant, whom she met at church, late in life, only six years ago. They were a great, loving couple.”

“She was the ultimate musician,” Deming said. “She encouraged students of all ages and treated everybody the same.”

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net