June Ferguson
JUNE LORRAINE CHRISTINE (née VAN DER LEE) FERGUSON
April 26, 1931 – February 8, 2024
Our beloved June Ferguson, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother has passed away at age 92. Her family, friends, and home life were everything to June and she loved nothing more than to connect with them. Pre-deceased by her loving husband John, his beloved daughter June, and granddaughter Deirdre, she leaves behind brothers Wes (Dody), and Conroy (Joan); sons Guy (Judy), Neil (Carol), James (Ursula) and son-in-law Jack; her grandchildren Rennie (Roman), Kathryn (Gord), David (Maggie), Natalie (James), Andrew, Stephen, and Emily (Jack); great-grandchildren Jane, William, Greta, Wesley, and Lachlan; and many nieces and nephews. She made each and every one of her loved ones feel that they were special.
June was born June Lorraine Christine van der Lee in Lamont, Alberta but grew up on a family farm not far from Chipman, Alberta. Her parents Harmen and Christien (Goebel) van der Lee were both from the Netherlands and their second youngest June grew up with her sister Elizabeth and her four brothers Harry, Arie, Wesley, and Conroy. June always enjoyed telling her grandchildren about her three mile ride to school in a cutter in winter and a wagon in summer.
June met her husband John while working at the Capitol Theatre in Edmonton, moving to Winnipeg after they married in 1955. They and their growing family enjoyed many years at the lake near Kenora. Mom’s blueberry pies baked in the woodstove were the best! She enjoyed memorable trips with her family south to Central America and overseas to the Netherlands and Ireland. June’s social life included her church circle friends at St. James United and, after her church closed, her friends Doreen, Ann K., Anne B., Liz, and Pat. In later years June loved to watch her family from her house on the banks of the Assiniboine River as they slid down the slope, skated on a river rink, or skied past.
Mom’s approach to life was uncomplicated, as evidenced by her dishwasher-less kitchen and her other low-tech preferences. She made prodigious use of her land-line phone, though her extended family was large, to keep in touch with all her loved ones regularly. Solidly rooted in her traditions, she was an inspiration to us all, especially in her devotion to family. We miss her so very much.
A celebration of June’s life will be held at a later date.
June's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.
ETHICAL DEATH CARE
Cremation & Life Celebrations
530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg
204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com
Memories, Stories and Condolences
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Anonymous
May 9, 2024 at 6:56 PM
I heard of June and her kindness through her niece Maureen who thought the world of her. I know she was important to Maureen. Aunts are so important to us especially when there is no mother. My condolences to all members of the family. May her soul RIP
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Jean
May 9, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Guy, James, Neil & Families,
I was so sorry to hear about Aunt June. She was always so gracious and friendly, and went the extra mile to keep in touch with family. She knew what was important. I will miss her Christmas call to chat and wish us the best in the New Year.
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Anonymous
May 9, 2024 at 3:39 PM
I will miss Aunt June"s phone calls especially in recent years on my Birthday. With so many nieces and nephews she was a special person to remember my day.
She took care us a weary travellors she hosted us when we tràvelled cross Canada fo the reunion in Calgary. So kind and generous.
And when she visited Victoria with Aunt Elizabeth 1984, if I remember, so much fun we had.
A beautiful warm soul.
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Ray and Cathie Harris
May 9, 2024 at 2:05 PM
When we moved into the Bourkevale neighbourhood in retirement, it didn’t take long for us to come to know June Ferguson. Casual and brief exchanges of greetings pointed to a very gracious woman living across the street from us. At one point in our relationship June invited us to read the book that tells the story of her family, and its migration from the Netherlands to this young nation called Canada. As we read her story we came to understand more fully the strength of character we had come to know in June, and we came to a much greater appreciation of the way her family contributed to the character of this nation. We consider it a privilege to have been one of June’s neighbours.
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Jacek Siudowski
May 9, 2024 at 1:57 PM
I have met June Ferguson a number of times over the last 15 years. Every time she was very kind, warm and friendly. To this day I remember the delicious cookies and hot tea she offered Neil and me on a very cold winter day many years ago. It was the perfect thing to revitalize our frozen selves. What will also remain in my memory are the wonderful Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners I was invited to spend with her and her family. She immediately put me at ease and made me feel welcome.
I am grateful that life has given me an opportunity to meet such a wonderful person.
My heart goes out to Neil, James, Guy and the whole Ferguson family.
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