Bonnie Volk Finn

Bonnie Volk Finn died at her home in La Canada, California on July 3, 2025, surrounded by family.

Bonnie was born in Los Angeles on September 28, 1945, to Howard Finn and Anne Volk Finn, and would become the eldest of the three Finn children. The family resided in Sunland, and Bonnie graduated from Verdugo Hills High School before moving on to U.C. Berkeley, where she received a B.A. with a major in English and a minor in art. Bonnie shared the same alma mater as her father, the late Howard Finn, who later became an LA City Councilman.

After earning her teaching credential, Bonnie taught English for a time at an all-boys Christian high school in Concord, California. While living in the Bay Area, she met Jacques Calma, who would become her first husband. While the marriage did not last, Bonnie remained close to Jacques' family through the years.

Later she became a public relations professional, memorably doing PR for the television show Barney Miller. Her public relations work led to her meeting Ira Haskell and working with him in his graphic design/advertising business. Ira and Bonnie married and became parents to Sarah. (The couple later divorced).

Bonnie possessed many gifts, and yet throughout her life, she remained humble and self-effacing, and seemed far more interested doing good work and helping others, than in spending time bringing attention onto herself.

In addition to being a talented writer/editor, Bonnie enjoyed working with and leading people and groups. She also had an artist's eye, and created a home environment that was tasteful and meaningful and personal. She enjoyed making recipes that were handed down from relatives and reflected her family's Jewish heritage, such as Aunt Sophie's "strata", Uncle Aubrey's chicken soup, and daughter Sarah remembers her making challah that was "amazing."

While Bonnie had a quiet presence, she was a keen observer and could be counted on for her honesty, even when she had a less than complimentary point of view. She was not shy about sharing her observations with others. She was also fiercely loyal, loving and generous with her family, friends and others. Members of her book club said Bonnie's "candor and fearless authenticity shaped our simple book club into a warm, supportive, caring circle of friends."

Her quick wit was especially apparent in her writing. At Sarah's urging, Bonnie created a kind of memoir through StoryWorth. Reading through it gives insight into Bonnie's unique way of viewing the world around her, and communicating her sense of humor as well as her deep compassion for others.

After being diagnosed with scleroderma in the late 80s, Bonnie launched full-bore into volunteer work, producing the Scleroderma Foundation newsletter for many years, and later leading Scleroderma support groups. She was also very active until recently in the Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club. One of her latest efforts with that group was helping find homes and supplies for Afghan refugees.

Bonnie was conscientious about keeping people in her life connected. This was especially evident in her lifelong commitment to her classmates at Verdugo Hills High school, some of whom she had known since childhood. Until recently, she faithfully produced the "Class of '63 Newsletter," through which classmates shared the events, joys and sorrows of their lives. Upon learning of her passing, many of her former classmates referred to her as the "glue" that kept everyone together.

Bonnie leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Lucas Phelan, their children Oliver and Augustus Phelan; Bonnie's sisters and their partners Jocelyn Finn and John Winfield, Melinda Finn and Peter Phillips; nephew Demian Wyma, his wife Jennifer Lynch, their son Collin Wyma; nephew Eric Marchuk, his daughter Mitra Marchuk, and countless loving cousins and friends.

She fought a fierce battle for the last 35+ years against scleroderma, the disease that threatened - but failed - to destroy her spirit. Despite the many indignities she had to endure through the years, Bonnie was somehow able to approach life with humor, appreciation and determination.

Bonnie fought to her last breath in her own dignified way, and, as Sarah said, she did her life and her death her way.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 28 (which marks what would have been her 80th birthday) at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The program will begin at 10 a.m. You may RSVP here.

Anyone wishing to donate in Bonnie's memory may consider these two organizations:

Scleroderma Foundation
Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club