Veronica "Bonnie" Harvey

It is with great sadness, but grateful for a loving life well lived, that the family of Mary Veronica “Bonnie” Harvey announces her passing which occurred at the Shannex Tucker Hall on July 28 2024.

Born in Saint John on September 17 1935, Bonnie was the second child and eldest daughter of Leo Joseph “Trit” and  Mary Ellen (Pike) McCluskey. She was educated at the prestigious Mount Carmel Academy and after graduation worked in the payroll departments for Irving Oil and then Simpson Sears before later settling in as the Manger of Forget-Me-Not and Big Deal stores in Parkway Mall from the 1970’s to the 1990’s. After a brief “retirement” in 1994, she finished her career as the seasonal manger of the  Reversing Falls gift shop until her actual retirement in 2014.

Bonnie met the love of her life, Don, in 1956 and the next Valentine’s Day he proposed under the beautiful chandelier at the Imperial (then the Capital) Theatre. They married in 1957 and settled in Saint John to raise their family. In the early 1960’s, Bonnie and Don joined the local chapter of the Kinsmen and Kinette Club of Canada and were dedicated members of the service club until the 1990’s. Every Thursday night during the 1980’s and 90’s would find them volunteering at the Kinsmen Bingo which raised money for local charities and Cystic Fibrosis.  Over the years Bonnie held many positions in the club - from Secretary to President - and in 1989 was honoured to be made a life member.  Many of Bonnie’s cherished friendships began during her Kinette years and endured long after. Bonnie and Don also volunteered  with, or fund-raised for, the Boys and Girls Club, Romero House, Hestia House and Meals on Wheels. Bonnie continued volunteering daily at the Loch Lomond Villa well into her 80’s and in 2017 was celebrated as the Villa’s Volunteer of the Year.

Aside from community service, Bonnie’s free time was spent with family. She was a devoted daughter who enjoyed time with her parents and always spent her holidays with them and her children. In her later years, every Saturday afternoon found her at the mall shopping and chatting with her daughter - unless there was a grandchild’s hockey game, curling bonspiel, cheerleading competition or choir concert in which case she was in the front row, cheering on one of her seven favourite stars.

Bonnie will be forever missed by her son Dan Harvey (Twyla) of Fredericton and daughter Melody Harvey (Chris) of Saint John.  Bonnie was also the much adored “Nana” to Matthew Harvey, Michelle Bursey (Ryan), Nathan Harvey (Alexandra), Liam Lundrigan, Graeden Lundrigan, Madelaine Lundrigan and Hannah Harvey and great-grandmother to Jacob Bursey. Bonnie was predeceased by her husband Don, her parents and her siblings - Frank “Bobby” McCluskey, Patrick McCluskey and MaryEllen (McCluskey) Denton. Bonnie was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at the Shannex Tucker Hall for the empathy and care provided this past year, especially nurses Jessica and Sue, whose kindness will always be remembered.

Bonnie’s arrangements are under the direction of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, NB (506-646-2424) with visitation on Thursday August 1st from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. All are welcome to a Celebration of Bonnie’s Life which will be held from the Fundy Funeral Home Chapel on Friday August 2nd at 1:00 p.m., In keeping with Bonnie and Don’s dedication and love of giving back to their community, donations in her memory to a local charity of choice such as Bobby’s Hospice, Outflow, Coverdale Centre or the New Brunswick Historical Society and Loyalist House, would be so appreciated by the family.