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AUDREY (JUNE) MCPHERSON (mee GREEVES)
Born: Jun 30, 1932
Date of Passing: Apr 14, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
AUDREY (JUNE) MCPHERSON
Born June 30, 1932 in Birtle, Manitoba at her Grandmother Hatch's "Hatchery", June had many friends and admirers. Athletic, she spent her summers swimming in the Birdtail River and when winter came, cut figure eights on the river ice. As a child she found her love of knitting, something that she continued throughout her life, teaching others including one young Resident doctor. In 1951, she moved to Winnipeg, graduating with a RN in 1954 from the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing. June met Barrie at a dance, and they were married the year she graduated. By 1964, with six children they adored, they were living in Minnedosa, Manitoba where Barrie worked as an agricultural land assessor. Tragedy struck with Barrie passing in 1965.
To support her family, June went back to work as a RN at the Minnedosa Hospital in 1967. Starting part-time as a ward nurse, she applied her tenacious work effort and intelligence and rose through the ranks, working as a first responder, a trusted maternity nurse, a scrub nurse in the operating room, and finally as head nurse, ending her career in 1991. Her nursing colleagues spoke of "a true nursing mentor". They knew it was best to let her speak her mind, and that when she did, the meaning was never uncertain, be it directed at them or those "above". She had their utmost respect because they understood she was challenging them to become the frontline health care professionals nurses are today, not to simply take orders, but to take charge. In this, June was a pioneer.
Life at home was not always easy with six kids. Days involved assembly line lunches, pairs of work teams, hand-me-down but clean clothes and a calendar with her work shifts in the 24-hour clock. But there were always paper Christmas hats and poppers, camping trips with an army style canvas tent, camping gear and clothes for seven, somehow, as if by a miracle, all packed into one car. One brother almost fell out at highway speed and there was a cabin that started on fire, but all made it through.
As her kids grew and left, June's life fell into a more relaxed routine, drinking wine with her beloved Gus Dixon, travel including her first trips to Europe, and spending time with her grandchildren, who loved "Grandma June". And she continued to give extensively as a volunteer: President and Life Time member of the Minnedosa Health Auxillary, chair of the Rowing Committee for the Canada Summer Games in 1997, service on the Board of the Minnedosa United Church during trying times, Meals On Wheels, volunteering at the Food Bank, amongst others. And as always, with a nurse's heart, answering calls from friends and neighbours seeking medical advice and taking them to appointments. She was recognized with the Community Caring Award from the College of Registered Nurses at a ceremony in Winnipeg in 2002.
Tough, strict, intelligent, funny, hard-working, tenacious, loving, just a few of the many words to describe our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, colleague, friend. She leaves a legacy of a life well-lived.
Donations can be made to the Minnedosa United Church (http://minnedosauc.ca/), 204-867-2674; Minnedosa and Area Foodbank; Heart and Stroke Foundation (https://www.heartandstroke.ca/), or to the charity of your choice.
A funeral service will be held at a later date in Minnedosa with interment at the Minnedosa Cemetery.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 24, 2021
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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On behalf of the WGH/HSC Nursing Alumni we extend our sincerest condolences to June's family and friends. We are proud to have had June as one of our own nursing graduates and were able to acknowledge her generous nature. It is evident from June's beautiful tribute she was a vital part of family and community. June made a difference and will be missed. - Posted by: MARIAN Ulyatt (WGH/HSC Nursing Alumni Friendship Convenor) on: May 10, 2021
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During my early childhood our family lived across the street from the McPherson family in Minnedosa. When I got older my mom (Freida) told me many stories of how she relied on June's advice and support in raising my brother's and I during our early childhood. As a child my mom would read me a bedtime story about a woman who was a great mom and admired in the community. I distinctly remember asking my mom to change the name of the character to "Mrs. McPherson" when she read the story to me, a change she incorporated thereafter in all future readings to me. June's kindness and the many wonderful childhood times with the McPherson's had no doubt left an impression on me. When June's brother Phil and my dad (Gerald) moved their dental practice to Calgary in 1972 my parents stayed in touch with June by phone and through letters. During our post 1972 annual visits to my dad's parents in Neepawa my parents would always see friends in Minnedosa, and June was always on the "must" see list as they enjoyed her friendship and greatly admired her character. The last time I saw June was in 2004 when she attended my wedding. I was so pleased she attended and that my wife Natalie had a chance to meet her. On behalf of my mom, my late dad, my brother's Craig, Scott and I, thanks to June for your friendship, support, and for creating many happy memories; memories I still cherish today. Our condolences to everyone in the McPherson family. - Posted by: Shawn Graham (Friend) on: May 02, 2021
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Chris, Kim, Kevin, Miles, David and Peter, No matter how old we are it is never easy to lose a parent. I met your mother first when I was in high school and remember being amazed at how she could work full time shift work, run a household and manage a family as well. I also remember I feared her “a little”. Of course, I came to know her better once I started working with her at the hospital. I came to admire her leadership and dedication (must admit some “Fear” remained). I learned a lot from June and later in my career was able to share some of that with other nurses and many students. Dean got to know your Mom through Church committee work and always appreciated her willingness to state her opinion and follow through with action. We are both glad to have known your Mom and want to share our condolences. Dean & Teresa (Hoffman) Wareham, friends - Posted by: Teresa (Hoffman) and Dean Wareham (Friends) on: Apr 27, 2021
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Sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. - Posted by: Erma Hoogervorst (Richards) (Friend ) on: Apr 26, 2021
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Hey Peter. So sad to hear of June’s passing. I remember lots of sleepovers at the McPherson house on the hill in the late 70’s and early 80’s but do not recall many interactions with June. I think we always tried to avoid her because we were always doing something that she likely would not of approved. What I do remember is that she was often at work and gave you the freedom to be who you wanted to be. Take care my friend. - Posted by: Stuart Parrott (Friend of Peter’s ) on: Apr 24, 2021