Obituary of Charlene June Saxton
June passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 1, 2022 at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in her 92nd year. Predeceased by her brother, Charles James (Bud) West, she will be deeply missed by her children, Kathy (Peter), Paul (Jan) and Robin (Peter); her six grandchildren, Martha, Sean, Jeremy, Tori, Alexa and Wesley; and her dearest companion of the last 31 years, Barbara Dubrule.
Born in Toronto, June attended York Memorial Collegiate Institute, and upon graduation entered the Registered Nursing Training program at Toronto General Hospital where she met many of her life-long friends and began her career as a nurse.
June was a unique and loving person of many talents: artist, prize winning photographer, poet, cook, canoeist, traveller and explorer. A wonderful conversationalist, June was always interested in what others were doing. She found joy in sharing her love and appreciation of all types of music and the inner peace and calm it brings. She was also active in her local community, leading seminars at the Women’s Senior Centre in Oakville and Secretary of the Oakville Seniors Camera Club.
Never losing her curiosity, June was a life-long learner with a persistent sense of wonder at the world around her and a love for people, nature, travel, and life.
She was an inspiration to all who knew her, showing incredible bravery in decisions she made and paths she chose to follow, one of which was a walking tour of self-discovery through the hills of Ireland and Wales, with her childhood friend Muriel Thompson.
Her genuine kindness and compassion in caring for others, combined with her unfailing moral compass, made her a role model for others - as a mother, mother-in-law, nana, daughter, sister, nurse and friend.
She taught us all to love and laugh. Her pure sense of the ridiculous and ability to laugh at herself was infectious – and after all, laughter is the best medicine.
June’s special place of refuge was her beloved cottage - a place to share love and laughter, a place to reflect and be at one with nature and the call of the loons.
She was philosophical and spiritual. She will always be with us:
The sound of the rain on the roof, the warm wind in your face, the birds singing in the garden, a red maple leaf slowly falling on an autumn day, the flash of light and crash of thunder in the skies, the peonies blooming in spring, the smooth rocks and unusually shaped driftwood on the beach.
She will always be with us.
A celebration of June’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
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