Tribute

June Esther Reeve (nee Oliver) was born on June 2, 1934 in Armley, Saskatchewan, to parents William (Bill) Oliver and Hilda (nee Whitley). June had three siblings, Keith, Donna, Thomas (Tom), all of whom have predeceased her.
June received her primary education at Manlius School and her Grade 12 diploma at Nipawin High School, in 1951. In those years June experienced love and acceptance at girls’ clubs, a local church and in the homes where she boarded away from home.  Following business college, June worked at the Saskatchewan Telephone Company where she met John, at a company picnic at Wascana Beach in the summer of 1954.  During their courtship June became a Christian, committing her life to Jesus Christ.
June and John were married August 25, 1956 in Regina, Saskatchewan and Mom paid for the reception dinner, which was a sumptuous turkey feast at $1.25 per person!  From that day forward, John and June were a loving and committed couple for the 59 years that they had together. Highlights of their married life were special anniversary events celebrated at 25, 40 and 50 years.
They were gifted two children, Kenneth (Ken) in 1958 and Kimberley (Kim) in 1960. The family lived first in Regina, moving to Port Moody in 1962 and Ottawa in 1964. After living in Coquitlam from 1966 to 1978, they moved to Burnaby and finally to South Surrey in 1993.
Every house June lived in was made a home for us through her loving care and attention, which she lavished on us. June’s deep friendships with others were genuine, insightful and kind. June’s priorities were always God, her family and her friends.  Although June travelled, she couldn’t wait to get home to be with her family, her friends  and her church. She didn’t want to miss anything that was happening with them!
Through the years June made life-long friends at Olivet Baptist in New Westminster, Tenth Avenue Alliance and now Peace Portal Alliance. She loved showing hospitality and hosted many birthdays, anniversaries, showers and other fellowships in their home.
June was a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and student of Scripture. She attended Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for two decades and served in leadership too. She loved God, His Word and sharing what she had learned with others.

June always had a strong relationship with her younger sister, Donna. After Donna was diagnosed with dementia, June cared for her until Donna passed away in 2012.  After her husband John passed away on November 15, 2015 June became a widow.  After a difficult year alone, she moved to Elim Village in Surrey. It was here, with great grace and dignity, that June adjusted to increasing disability.  Dementia slowly robbed her of her mobility, then her ability to communicate, and finally her ability to swallow. Dementia took her body, but praise God, not her spirit!  Throughout those years, her acceptance and serenity in the face of this disease was amazing. She drew strength knowing that she was a child of God, and that nothing could separate her from the love of Jesus Christ.
June passed into the presence of Jesus on July 8, 2023.  Therefore June leaves to mourn, her son, Ken (Brenda) three grandchildren, Lindsay (Anatoli), Jeffrey (Ava) and Justin (fiancé Christine) and one great-grandson Yuri; her daughter, Kim (Brian) two grandchildren, Jordan (partner Tiphaine), Jessica (Matt) and recently, twin great-grandchildren, Cali and Cruz.
June also leaves behind her niece, Angolene Mackesy (Tom) and great-nephews Colin and Robbie.