JUNE BURGESS (FRIESEN)

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JUNE BURGESS (nee FRIESEN) formerly AUSTMAN On January 12, 2003, June embarked on the next leg of her journey. Her spirit will follow the brightest light and she will again be among us. Left to celebrate her life are her children, Laurel (Les), Shannon (Orla), Pamela (Darrell), Todd (Laurel), Jonathan, Melissa (Cameron) her grandchildren, Matthew (Andrea), Lexie (Tim), Sean, Brendan, Bailey, Ian, Kate, Nicholas and Liliana; great-granddaughter Kailyn, (born January 5, 2003) daughter of her heart, Lois (Gord) stepdaughter Ellen Burgess (Graham Larking) stepson Drew Burgess (Janet) her sisters, Verna (Jim) Howarth, Peggy (Jim) Lawrence and her beloved brother Ralph (Bev) Milton; nieces and nephews and many friends. June was born on June 3, 1931 to Henry M. and Marie (Reimer) at Horndean, MB. Her early schooling took place in Horndean, in Ottawa during the Second World War, and Grade 12 in Winkler. She attended Normal School on Shaftsbury in Tuxedo in 1949 to 1950 and volunteered with May Miller in Point Douglas during the 1950 flood. June married Donald John Austman in 1953. This marriage ended in divorce but not before producing six beautiful, intelligent, talented, loving children, Junes coast to coast babies: Laurel in Clinton, ON (1954), Shannon in Winnipeg, MB (1956), Pamela in Holberg, BC (1958), Todd in Winnipeg, MB (1960), Jonathan and Melissa in Newcastle, NB (1961 and 1963). These "kids" remained Junes pride and joy throughout her life. June loved music and taught it to the children in Radisson and Harold Hatcher schools in Transcona Springfield S.D. from 1972 until 1988. Her special joys were her choirs, concerts, operettas and special events, many of which were standing room only. She was also renowned for her singing, guitar and piano playing at parties and was a founding member of ISDA. Besides her never ending crocheting and crafts, June enjoyed curling in the Business Girls and Teachers leagues in Transcona for a number of years. She served as editor of The Informer TSTA and on various committees for MTS and TSTA. June earned her Bachelor of Education degree early in her teaching career, with hard work and great pleasure. In 1986, June met her beloved Ted (Fred Owen) Burgess. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married December 14, 1986 and shared a wonderful life in their idyllic home in Whytewold until Teds death on February 12, 1995. June and Ted loved to entertain and served many a meal to friends and family, often from the stone barbeque. As Mums health declined, she relied more and more on Melissa and Cameron to assist her with her needs. The rest of her siblings are forever grateful for her unwavering support of Mum through the difficult times. You are our hero, Liss! Matthew and Lexie, whom she helped nurture in their childhood, provided Grandmama with a huge return on her investment in her later years. Junes beliefs did not include any religion but an abiding faith in the human being. There will be no service. Cremation has taken place. Please come to one last party - bring a song and a memory to share. Come lift a glass for the good times on January 18 at the Assumption Hall, 711 Leola St. in Transcona from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Junes name to the Manitoba Lung Association or to Cancer Care Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 17, 2003