Wallace

PENDLETON – Tonya Lynn (Bennett) Wallace, 43, of Pendleton died suddenly Wednesday, May 12, 2010, with loved ones at her side. At the family’s request, a private celebration will be held at a later date.

Ms. Wallace was born Nov. 17, 1966, in Ogden, Utah, to Alvin Richard Bennett and June Maria (Grover) Bennett. The family soon moved to Union, where Alvin was from. She attended schools in Union and Wallowa counties, graduating from Wallowa High School. After graduation she entered the Peace Corps, where she met her first husband, Fred Swartout. They had two children.

After divorce she and the boys moved to Lewiston, Idaho, where she worked and went to school in the nursing field. She had a passion for helping others, which took her and the boys to various locations.

In the early 2000s she moved back to Oregon to be near family and friends, and met her beloved soulmate Ben Hoffman. They were to be married this summer.

She was currently attending school and doing well. She would have graduated in 2010. 

Survivors include her boys, Daniel and Andrew; soulmate Ben Hoffman and his daughters; father Alvin; brother Alvin Michael Bennett of Heppner; uncles and aunts Alan and Julie Bennett of Imbler, Marilyn and Gary Moore of Malad, Idaho, and David Grover of Fairview, Utah; two half-sisters and extended family by marriage; and other cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by mother June Maria; all her grandparents; a nephew; and other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Burns Mortuary of Pendleton handled arrangements. Send condolences to the family or sign the guestbook at www.burnsmortuary.com.