MCCLUSKEY, JULIA CHRISTINE (RAYMOND) - On June 18, 2014, a wonderful life ended peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Julia Christine (Raymond) McCluskey went to be with her Lord and saviour surrounded by her loving family after battling leukemia. She was born on December 23, 1934 to the late Winifred (Agar) and Michael Raymond. She was a loving wife of 57 years to her husband John “Jack” McCluskey. If anyone was to describe Julia’s life in two words they would be Faith and Family. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church for her entire life, volunteering and making a difference in our community. Julia served on the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church CWL for 27 years and volunteered for AIDS Saint John by baking homemade cookies.
She attended teachers college and spent most of her working career as a teacher caring for the educational needs of her students. She particularly enjoyed her time at Lakewood Elementary School. She enjoyed quilting, gardening and swimming with her family at Treadwell Lake. Julia enjoyed attending “Club” with her close friends for 57 years. Every Friday evening you could find Julia out and about with her best friends Doreen and Carol. Julia was an excellent baker and had a sweet tooth which she passed onto her children and grandchildren. She cautiously stepped into technology but then whole heartedly embraced Skype to connect with her family away. Julia is survived by three sons, John (Mary Angela) McCluskey of Saint John; Paul McCluskey of Upper Loch Lomond and Keith (Catherine) McCluskey of Cardiff, UK. Three Daughters; Cathy (Basil) Nolan of Oakfield, NS; Mary (John) Whidden of Halifax, NS and Kim (Steve) Dew of Cardiff, UK. Brother; Michael (Elaine) Raymond of Harvey, NB and three sisters, Margaret (Joe) Ryan and Betty Ann (Clemie) Ryan both of Barnesville, NB and Joan (Gerry) Amirault of Saint John, NB. Julia is survived by her loving grandchildren; Melissa, Matthew, Louis, Ava, Henry, Jack and Natalie. She is also survived by her great-granddaughter Madison. Besides her parents, Julia was predeceased by her son Peter, sisters; Gertrude Nesbitt and Jean Raymond.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (646-2424). Visitation for Julia will take place on Saturday June 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 23 at 11:00AM from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. An interment will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery following a reception at the H.O.P.E. Center. If desired, donations may be made towards the H.O.P.E. Center, Romero House or AIDS Saint John. It was Julia’s wish that family and friends take time to donate blood at a local blood clinic to help make a difference in someone’s life. Condolences and remembrances may be placed online at www.FundyFuneralHome.Com.