Veronica Halveland

Halveland, Veronica “Monie” (nee Barrett), Asleep in Jesus, Tuesday, March, 16, 2010, Beloved wife of the late Earl T. Halveland, Devoted and Cherished mother of Janice (Frederick) Bendick, Thomas Halveland and Edward (Cheryl) Halveland, Dearest grandmother and Nana of Matthew (Camille) Bendick, Brian (Abigail) Bendick, Katherine (Michael) Sutton, Elizabeth Bendick and Brett and Claire Halveland, Dear Great-Grandmother of Andrew, Luke and Brooke Bendick, Amelia and Anne Marie Bendick and Isabella, Ainsley and Grant Sutton, sister and best friend of Eleanor (Harry) Bottomley of Wyong N.S.W. Australia, aunt, great-aunt, cousin and dear friend. Monie was an avid fan of St. Louis Sports. She had a cheerfully upbeat personality who saw the humor in every situation. Monie was born August 29, 1923 in Sydney, Australia to Eleanor and Thomas Barrett. She met her beloved husband, Earl, during World War II while he was stationed in Sydney with the Army Corps of Engineers. One of thirteen children, she loved to tell the story that against the wishes of her eleven brothers, Monie fell in love with Earl, married him, and in 1946 made the thirteen day trip to the United States on the Mariposa of the Matson Line, with the other war brides, who became some of her closest friends. The Mariposa docked in Los Angeles where the brides boarded trains to meet up with their husbands in various cities scattered across the U.S. Monie settled in St. Louis and while Earl rose through the ranks to Captain in the St. Louis Police Department, Monie, who started as a life guard and swim instructor at the Carondelet Branch of the YWCA, retired in 1996 as Executive Director.In lieu of flowers contributions in “Monie’s” name may be made to the YWCA of St. Louis or the Alzheimer’s Association. The Funeral Service will be conducted in the Chapel of HOFFMEISTER COLONIAL MORTUARY, 6464 Chippewa at Watson Monday, March 22, 2010 at 9:30 A.M. The interment will follow in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.Visitation Sunday at Hoffmeister Colonial from 4-8 P.M.