SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—Bonnie Singer, a former sales representative for DuPont, passed away suddenly on March 13. She was 58.

Born Bonnie Jean Applegate on Oct. 15, 1950 in Cleveland, she grew up in Farmington, Mich., until her family moved to Scottsdale, in 1964.

After graduating from Arizona State University (ASU) in 1972, where she received a degree in elementary education, Singer began a career as an elementary school teacher. It was while teaching that she heard about DuPont’s “mystery shoppers” program, and was eventually hired as one in 1987.

Singer also worked with DuPont Apparel, holding training sessions where she taught the benefits of branded goods over generic, and discussed colors for the upcoming season, and worked on promotions and advertising. In 1993, she took over the DuPont Stainmaster account; her territories included Arizona, San Diego, New Mexico and El Paso, Tex. She then went on to the specialty store division of DuPont Nylon Flooring.

In December of 2002, Singer was honored as Person of the Year by the Arizona Floor Covering Association (AFCA). “She was the first, and so far, only woman to win this prestigious award,” said Peggy McCarthy, AFCA’s executive director. “People came from all over the country to honor her.” Singer was also very active in the organization of reunions for her class of 1968, and was involved in many charitable organizations.

She was a member of the board of directors of AFCA and, after finally leaving the floor covering industry several years ago, she was made an honorary member of the association’s board. At the time of her death, she was an associate member of AFCA.

“Everyone would have been lucky to have a friend like Bonnie, at least once in their lifetime,” McCarthy said. “She was beautiful, smart, had an enormous heart— the most generous heart of anyone I ever knew—was funny and fiercely loyal to all of her many friends and co-workers. When I needed someone to help me to put on a special event for AFCA, Bonnie would come to the office with her ‘bag of tricks,’ which contained glue, scissors, glitter, balloons, colored paper, etc., and she would work wonders until we had the most spectacular centerpieces, or the best and biggest looking poster for any event.

“Her smile captivated all who met her,” she added. “Her love for her mother was boundless. Everyone has heard stories of the trips they took together over the years. Her teaching, speaking and training skills from early on led her to become the outgoing person she was. Bonnie will be dearly missed by all of us at AFCA and anyone else who had the privilege of having known her.”

Traci Tartaglio, owner of Ahwatukee-Carpets, said of Singer, “Anytime Bonnie walked through the showroom door, it was like a ray of sunshine. She was a delight to be around. Her smile and enthusiasm were contagious. She is missed already.”

Industry consultant Fritz Munsinger said, “Always with a smile, that was Bonnie. She cared, about your business, your family, your problems. B-O-N-N-I- E spelled love.”

Industry consultant, Lisbeth Calandrino of Fabulous Floors magazine, said, “Bonnie Singer was a friend of mine for over 20 years; she was one of the most generous and kindest persons I have ever known. There wasn’t a week that went by that we didn’t talk or email each other. It makes me very sad to know she is gone.”

Karen Olson of Longust Distributing said, “Passionate! That would be the word I would use to describe Bonnie. No matter what we were working on, she would always wrap her arms around the project with all of her being. My favorite memory will always be the year we did the Color Trends presentation for AFCA.”

Jeff Chasen of Mohawk Industries said, “When Bonnie represented Stainmaster, she was always the consummate professional. If there was a promotion that had roots in the ’60s, she would dress up from the era and make her sales calls. Always upbeat and positive, she looked to please both her customers and her employer simultaneously.”

Singer is survived by her two children, Tiffany and Todd; mother, Mae Defiel; sister, April Applegate, and brother, James Applegate. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, 711 E. Northern, Phoenix, AZ 85028, or The Humane Society, 1521 W. Dobbins Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85041.