Bonnie J. Bishop

It is with profound sadness that the family of Bonnie June Bishop (nee Webb) announce her untimely passing on April 1, 2023, at her home and in her favourite chair, after a short stay at SJRH.

Mom was born in Springhill, Nova Scotia to Russell and Leota Webb (nee Urquhart) as the youngest of six children. After her father passed in 1948, Mom’s childhood was difficult and traumatic. She left home in her late teens for Halifax, had her first child, Kelly Northrup, in Moncton, and eventually settling in Saint John, NB. In 1966 she met Dad, Wallace ‘Wally’ Bishop, through her friend Valerie Bishop. In 1967, she had me, Elizabeth, and Mom & Dad got married, followed in 1968 by my sister, Tammie, and Little Wally, our stillborn brother in 1970.

Our childhood became Mom’s childhood, and she created a strong Christian foundation in our home. Her love of God saved our family during the struggles of Dad’s cancer and subsequent death in 1983, making her a widow at 39.

After Dad’s passing, she met Ralph Grew of Deer Island, NB. They moved back to Deer Island in 1986, and lived there together until his passing, also of cancer, in 1999. Widowed a second time at 54, at my current age.

At the age of 79, Mom still lived in her home on Deer Island, loving and living for her Bible studies. There was a bet of the number of Bibles Mom owned, and we counted 93 Bibles along with her hundreds of study books on the Bible. Here home was full of dolls, books, and an enormous amount of food. Three of her favourite things to purchase.

Mom was an individual that loved deeply and cared for others. Her love language revolved around feeding others. I love the stories of how she gave the coat of her back to a friend and how she fed various families on the (Deer) Island. Most of all, I love how Islanders understood and accepted that mom had lifelong struggles with mental health, based on her trauma starting incredibly young.

Tammie and I appreciate how you struggled and kept your faith, how you raised us to the best of your ability and gave us a faith that helped us manage the struggles, and how giving and funny you were. We love you Mom, and I am so happy that we healed over the last couple of years.

Mom is survived by her children; Kelly Northrup of Moncton, N.B., Elizabeth Hyslop (David) of St. Stephen, N.B. and Tammie Thorne (Bryan) of Riverview, N.B., grandchildren; Courtney Le Roux (Carli), Alishia-Marie Kinney (James), Megil Gallant (Lauren Hovey), Tavis Thorne and Tyler Thorne, great- grandchildren; Cameron Kinney and Amelia Kinney, siblings;  Marian Durling of Greenwood, N.S. and David Webb of Alberta,  nieces; Darlene Veinot (Darrel) of Middleton, N.S. and Valarie Durling Sarty of Nova Scotia.

 In addition to her parents, Mom was predeceased by her husband, Wallace Meldon Bishop, son, Meldon Bishop Jr., siblings, Evelyn, Elda and Carol, partner, Ralph Leavitt Grew.

On April 15, 2023, between 1-3 pm, there will be an informal celebration for Mom, at her home, 12 Cooks Lane, Lords Cove, NB, E5V 1A8, for those wishing to express their condolences to her family and say goodbye.

Family would be honoured if cards of condolences would include a special story about Mom, or if you did not know her, of your Mom, and mailed to the address above.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the CMHA (https://cmha.ca/) would be appreciated. Condolences may be sent online at mehanfuneralhome.ca

Interment will follow at a later date in the Field of Honour with her husband, Cpl. Wallace M. Bishop, at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Saint John, NB

We would like to thank all those that cared for Mom especially the staff of the St. George Pharmacy, Charlotte County Extra-Mural, and Deer Island Health Centre.