Mary “Bonnie” McCarthy Fredrick

Mary “Bonnie” Mc-Carthy Fredrick was born in Traverse City, Michigan on March 6, 1945, to Bennett and Alice (Eastwood) McCarthy. Mary passed away October 12, 2025, in Berryville at the age of 80.

Upon seeing Mary for the first time her grandmother exclaimed “My Wee Bonnie Lass” The name “Bonnie” stuck after that. Bonnie and her big brother, Michael, did well in school, she was an exchange student in Scotland and graduated from Dennison. She lived and worked in Boston then Los Angeles where she rode motorcycles and camped in the hills.

Bonnie finally tired of the city and bought a 10 acre farm in eastern Oklahoma hills in 1973. She started a job as a librarian in Tahlequah and became a seamstress and made anything from prom dresses to custom western shirts for local bands. Bonnie met her future husband, Mike, in 1982 after running out of gas. He stopped to help, and the rest was history. They went through good times and hard times in Oklahoma. In 1992, they moved 10 miles north of Berryville and Bonnie finally got her house on a hill. Work was good in Arkansas with a few slow times but never hard times. Bonnie joined the Eureka Springs Quilters Guild in the early 90s. She worked hard, many years, months and hours. Bonnie was determined and made many fine quilts along with making some really good friends.

She was smart as a whip, determined, responsible and a great asset to Mike’s Electrical Business. She kept track of the paperwork and payroll for 25 years.

Bonnie was well read and well informed on a wide range of subjects.

Mike and Bonnie were together for 43 years and married for 39 years. She is sorely missed.

Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Charles M. Nelson Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to nelsonfuneral.com.