Obituary of June Rowley

(nee Fellows)

 

June passed away peacefully at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, December 10, 2024, at the age of 93.

 

Beloved wife of the late Ken (2009).

Loved mother of Gwyneth (Tom), Patricia (Jim), Rick (Franca), Roberta, and Elisabeth (Steve). June was predeceased by her son Ian (Angela) in 2021.

Proud and cherished grandma of Allison, Emily, Thomas, Richard, Bryan, Joseph, Desmond, Kericia, Alexander, William, Zach and Tess.

Treasured and missed by her 13 great grandchildren.

June was also predeceased by her only sister Gwendoline.

 

June was born in Willenhall, Staffordshire, England, on May 18, 1931. She was an independent child in a busy household. She loved maths and could add long lists of numbers in her head, learned (according to her) as punishment for misbehaving in school.

 

At 18 she got engaged to Ken and shortly after her 19^th birthday they were married.

 

Mum loved children. She and Dad had their first two children in England before deciding to emigrate to Canada, leaving their families and friends all behind. Dad came first to get a job and a place to live, leaving Mum with his family until their second child was born. Mum, at age 22, left England aboard the Cunard Steamship Scythia with a six-week old baby and a 22-month old child in tow, arriving in Quebec City to reunite with the husband she hadn't seen in four months. After a brief stay in Toronto, Mum and Dad moved to the South Shore of Montreal, Quebec, where they had four more, Canadian-born, children.

 

She was a great mother. Mum taught us the hokey-pokey; she knit us puppet gloves with faces and braided hair; she gave us plates to smash when we needed to vent; and she tore up old sheets, wrapped them around the boys’ arms and heads, and decorated them with red food colour “blood” when they played whatever it is that boys play.

 

She loved Quebec (but hated its politicians). She could speak French well, but never lost her British accent.

 

After Dad’s death in 2009 she stayed on in the family home for several years, then moved into a condo a few blocks away. She loved living in that condo.

 

At the age of 90, Covid, poor health and declining eyesight necessitated a move to assisted living in Arnprior near her daughter Pat, where she lived until her death.

 

The family wishes to thank Dr. Fishman as well as all the medical and nursing staff at the Arnprior Hospital for their exceptional care. Our thanks go also to the Arnprior Villa staff and residents for their care and friendship.

 

June’s private arrangements have been entrusted to the Pilon Family Funeral Home.

Inurnment will take place at a later date.

 

If you would like to leave a donation in June’s memory, please consider the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation.