Avis was born on July 29, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was adopted by Julius and Bertha Bontty of Prague, Oklahoma. She was their only child.
Avis was brought up in an educationally rich environment; Bertha was one of 11 children and knew childrearing well. Julius was well educated and had been a postmaster, banker, farmer and was a Czech band conductor in Prague who was able to play trumpet, violin, bass and fiddle as needed.
During the summer, he conducted the San Diego Symphony in the park’s half shell. During that time, he took Avis and the family to six Rose Parades. Avis remembered sleeping by the Czech bandstand Saturday nights when she was quite small.
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