Bonnie Jean (Robertson) Julien

Bonnie Jean (Robertson) Julien, passed away on … June 17, 2025, at the age of 82. She was surrounded by her loving family in her final moments at home in Waltham.

Born on September 14, 1943 in Waltham, MA Bonnie was the beloved daughter of Doris Burhans and James Robertson. Bonnie grew up in a family very much focused on helping others. Her Mom, Doris, was a Nurse at Waltham Hospital for over 40 years. Her father, Jim, served in WWII and became a Waltham Fire Fighter. Both Doris and Jim’s careers focused on supporting others and this was instilled in Bonnie. Bonnie shared a deep and unbreakable bond with her sister, Barbara, who was not only her sibling but also her later in life best friend. Their time together was filled with laughter, travel and countless hours of taking a ride somewhere to see something new, and a treasury of shared memories.

Bonnie’s intelligence and determination shone early in life. She graduated from Waltham High School and the Nursing Program at The Deaconess Hospital. Bonnie always aspired to succeed. She started her nursing career at Waltham Hospital working full-time, overnight to support her husband still pursuing his education in balance with taking care of her young family. She held various roles throughout her nursing career with the majority of her career working in the Emergency Room eventually becoming the Director, of the Emergency Department for different hospitals on the North Shore. Aside from her nursing career and raising her family, Bonnie later in her career was very determined to get her BSN at Salem State University graduating in 1995.

Above all, Bonnie found her greatest joy being a grandmother. She raised her three children with a strong sense of family and values in Swampscott, Massachusetts. Bonnie instilled in her children a strong work-ethic and purpose to succeed. However, nothing brought her more happiness than her 6 grandchildren, one grandson and five granddaughters, with whom she spent treasured moments sewing dress up clothes, playing dress up, doing arts & crafts, teaching them how to sew, knit, crochet, and embroidery as well hosting movie nights!

Bonnie created wonderful memories with her loved ones, she had a real love of travel with her family, particularly with her mother, Doris and sister Barbara, traveling the US and being frequent cruisers as well vacationing with her grandchildren and taking each one individually away for their own special trip with Nana. A woman of creativity and passion, she embraced a wide range of interests, including gardening, quilting, cooking and baking. She started a year’s long tradition of preparing and hosting memorable Christmas meals, having an international flair coordinating the menu with her family and preparing the meal. She was also a devoted Boston Bruins fan, rarely missing a game on TV. She was a true dog lover and found real companionship with all the family dogs, keeping her company.

As a young adult Bonnie was a dedicated member of the Methodist Church in Waltham, where she met her husband Jimmy when she was 15. Bonnie drew strength from her faith and the community it provided.

She is survived by her husband, James G. Julien of Waltham, and her three loving children, Wendy Bergeron (Bobby) of Waltham, Jon Julien (Laura) of Waltham, and Heather Pothier (Brian) of Beverly; her adored grandchildren, Jeff Bergeron (Amy), Christina Pothier, Adele Julien, Kaitlyn Pothier, Emily Julien and Sydney Julien as well her great grandson Lucas Bergeron. Bonnie is survived by her beloved siblings Daniel (Janet) Robertson and Barbara (Tom) Arsenault, all of Waltham. She is pre-deceased by her younger brother Bucky (Annette) Robertson of Framingham as well as her sister Beverly O’Brien from Michigan.

Family and friends will gather to honor and celebrate Bonnie’s life on Monday June, 23rd at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham, for visitation from 4pm to 7pm. Her funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 24th at 11am at The Joyce Funeral Home. Burial Will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Bonnie requested memorial donations be made to either:

MSPCA Angell: https://support.mspca.org/site/Donation2?df_id=20602&20602.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T

NEADS: World Class Service Dogs: https://neads.org/get-involved/donate/raise-funds-for-neads/