Sister Wives fans heard in 2021, that Meri Brown’s mom, Bonnie Ahlstrom passed away suddenly. Each year, her daughter remembers her and fans recall how she had nobody to go with her as her mom was dying in a hospital. So, her 2025 tribute got a lot of comments from TLC fans.
Remembering Bonnie
Meri Brown remembered her mother, Bonnie on her birthday, March 10, 2025. On her Instagram post, she shared a throwback photo of them at Lizzie’s Heritage Inn. Before Jenn Suillvan’s arrival, Bonnie managed the B&B in Parowan, Utah.
Meri wrote in her caption, “Happy Birthday, Mom!” and shared a tribute. She said her mother taught her to be strong, saw good in people, showed kindness, gave unconditionally, and loved the same way. She said her mother’s “love, wisdom, and kindness are forever remembered and missed.”
Previously Honored
Meri’s Instagram post followed previous tributes and in 2023, the Sister Wives star shared her feelings, saying, “The most amazing, loving, kind, giving, selfless, Christ-centered, person I had the pleasure of knowing in this lifetime.”
TLC Fans commented with support this week and shared memories of Bonnie. Here are a few of their replies to Meri Brown:
- I’m sure your Mom is so very proud of the woman you’ve become.
- Sweet Bonnie! She always seemed like the kindest person when she was on the show. Sending you hugs!
- Happy heavenly birthday to your precious mother! All of us fans out here could tell what a blessing it would have been to know her!
Much Has Changed Since Bonnie Ahlstrom’s Passing
The cause of Bonnie Joyce Ahlstrom Barber’s sudden death at 76 was disclosed in Season 17, with Meri explaining that her mother experienced a lengthy heart attack. So, her mom never got to see Meri Brown telling Kody where to stick his polygamous marriage. Plus, she missed out on her daughter starting her Worthy Up business.
Nonetheless, Bonnie was believed to be very strong in her faith and she helped Meri find a bolthole from the bad times in her marriage when she was at Lizzie’s Heritage Inn. So, in some ways, perhaps it’s better that she didn’t see her daughter struggle with her emotions as she ended her commitment to the Brown family.
The Pain Of Loss
Poor Meri knows the pain of heartache and loss. Her dad, Bill passed away in 2007, and she lost her brother Adam, who was previously married to Janelle Brown. The Sister Wives star also lost her sister, Teresa Barber Kunz, who died from cancer in 2006.
Of course, Bonnie also knew a lot of painful losses. TLC fans can only hope that she’s looking down on her daughter with love and affection as she starts a new life without Kody.
