June Elizabeth Cheyne

June passed away peacefully, surrounded by all five of her children, on Monday, January 29, 2024 in Cochrane, Alberta at the age of 83 years.

June was born in Rosetown Hospital on Sunday, June 16, 1940. She was the second youngest of Annie and Harold Houston’s family of one boy and five girls. She grew up on a farm south of Herschel and attended Kensington and Herschel High Schools. In 1959 she married Donald Harris Cheyne and they made their home in Herschel. Her oldest daughter, Gwen and twin sons - Andy and Alan, were born while they lived there. Over the years the family lived in Herschel, Downe Siding, Druid, Dodsland and finally Rosetown, following Donald’s career with Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Their youngest son, Doug, was born during their years in Druid and youngest daughter, Bonnie, was born in Dodsland.

June was an active member of United Church Women (UCW) for over 50 years, Ministry & Personnel Committee for 40 years, taught Explorers & Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT), sang in the United Church Choirs in Dodsland and Rosetown, and belonged to the Dodsland & District Museum & Historical Societies.

June worked as a telephone operator until marrying and having children. She worked in housekeeping at the Dodsland Union Hospital and for the United Church for a time after children were in school.

June was gifted in sewing, quilting, crafting and baking. She enjoyed singing in the choir and in choral groups, going to community dances, gardening and horticulture. She was competitive in track and field as a teenager, was active in swimming, curling bonspiels and bowling. 

June was widowed in 2014. She and Donald have 5 children: Gwen (Mark) Turnbull, Andy (Peggy), Alan (Anastasia), Doug (Deneise), Bonnie (Keith) Murphy; 13 grandchildren: Bobbie, Jason, Brett, Cory, Justine, Brittany, Dylan, Steven, Scott, Courteney, Landon, Lauren, Mikaela and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Jean and brother-in-law Bob Hannay, sister in-law Adele and brother-in-law Melvin.

June was predeceased by her parents, Annie and Harold Houston; her brother Bob; sisters, Amy, Shirley and Verna. 

June’s biggest priority was her family and kids and she always put them first. She was a kind, loving mother, grandmother and sister. June was very proud of each of her children and grandchildren and often commented that they were the greatest inspiration in her life. June cherished her relationships with her siblings, their spouses and her friends. She was known as a gentle soul.  Everyone who knew her appreciated her caring nature and kind heart.

A Memorial Service is being held for June at Rosetown United Church (118 - 2nd Avenue East, Rosetown, SK)  on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Jan Coffey-Olsen officiating. 

Memorial donations may be made in memory of June to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (1804 McOrmond Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7S 0A6) or the Alzheimer's Society of Saskatchewan (301 - 2550 - 12th Ave, Regina, SK S4P 3X1).

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.