We were deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of our long-time supporter and former board member, Bokara Legendre of Mill Valley, CA. She will be remembered for her exuberant personality, curiosity, love of adventure, courage and, most of all, her generosity to friends and the causes she believed in, including IONS.
Bokara possessed the enthusiasm and courage to pursue her dreams and undertook and succeeded at a variety of careers. She worked in television in Washington, D.C. and Palm Beach, FL, performed in summer-stock theater on Cape Cod and later appeared as Sarah Bernhard at the Cafe; La MaMa in New York. She was also an accomplished artist and writer. Her paintings were exhibited in galleries in both New York and California. Additionally, she worked as a freelance journalist for several publications including the New York Times. Her autobiography, Not What I Expected, was published shortly before her death.
Bokara’s curiosity about all facets of life extended to spirituality, especially Tibetan Buddhism. In 1978 on the advice of a Tibetan Buddhist Lama living in New York, Bo went to the Himalayan country of Sikkim where she was ordained as a Buddhist practitioner. This was the beginning of her attendance at Buddhist centers, as a result of which she became an accomplished meditator. That she could carry out these spiritual activities while living a full life of philanthropy, travel and entertainment was characteristic of her love of adventure and meditation. She produced and hosted Lunch with Bokara, a 13-part television series on LINK TV in which she brought together notable teachers of many spiritual disciplines, many of whom were her close friends.
We are truly grateful that her passions included the work we do at IONS; not only did she make many gifts over the years, she also remembered us in her will, ensuring that her legacy of spirituality continues on. We are truly thankful for her thoughtful generosity.
If you too can imagine leaving a legacy that transforms society for years to come, please visit the Planned Giving section of our website, where you will find information on how to make this vision a reality.
