Obituary of June Vera Franks
June Franks (nee Hope) formerly of Maidstone, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 years in Cut Knife, SK - where she had been living in long term care for a number of years.
June leaves to mourn her passing: her daughters, Jana (Will) and Mori (Corwin); nieces, Kim (Jan) and Tammie (Steve); and numerous extended family and friends who remained dear to her throughout her years. June is also survived by father to her daughters, Willie.
June was predeceased by: her parents, Albert and Grace; brother, Gerald; beloved sister-in-law, Betty; nephew, David; as well as her ‘always friend’ Dale.
June filled her years with laughter and love, enduring friendships and family. A lifelong love of music and sport was woven through her years. She enjoyed a wide variety of music but especially excelled personally at playing piano and organ. June had achieved Royal Conservatory of Music Certification and an enviable ability to play by ear. Although she participated in many and enjoyed any competition, she was an avid and knowledgeable spectator of all sports with baseball holding a special place in her heart. Throughout her life, she had an appreciation for the outdoors, nature and animals, with a fondness for horses that began in her girlhood.
Born to Albert and Grace Hope in Lashburn, Saskatchewan. Her school years were spent in Keyworth District, Maidstone and Wilkie and she later went on to attend Teachers’ College in Saskatoon, Sk. She always fondly recalled her years working in the bank and her skills with bookkeeping and auditing books, kept her happily employed at various businesses in Maidstone for many years. June spent much of her time volunteering and even in recent times recalled how much she truly loved doing this. She used her Teacher’s College Training to full advantage. She enjoyed tutoring children at Ratushniak Elementary school for many years and gave freely of her time and musical talent there playing piano while students sang. She was an active member of the United Church for most of her years - teaching Sunday School, playing the organ for service and as a long-time member of the UCW. June learned from her mother the skills of knitting, crochet, sewing and baking and used these skills to create heartfelt treasures for her daughters, other family members and friends. Her generous nature and witty sense of humour (surely inherited from her father) meant that June made many life-long friends and touched many lives while living her own. Nothing meant more to her, though, than being a Mom.
As per June's request, a Private Family Service will be held at a later date.
Her daughters would especially like to thank the staff at Long Term Care in Cut Knife for their many years of friendship and care. Whether nurse, aide, admin, housekeeping or cook your smiles, hugs and warm exchanges meant the world to Mom…….and to us!
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Cut Knife Long Term Care can be made in memory of June……
“Do not think that you’ll never be happy again; in Life’s winters the songbirds are dumb. You will soon catch the notes of another refrain - like a prelude of good things to come.
It is only the pause between two different themes; it is only the end of a part….You will wake up some day with new hopes and new dreams ~ and the joy of a song in your heart”
~ Patience Strong
