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Mar 25, 2018
We are deeply saddened by the passing of June Simms on March 25, 2018, Palm Sunday. June's husband Keith passed away in March 2009, she is survived by grandson Gray, son Don, daughter Lorie and many dear Beharrell/Page and Simms relatives.

Mom loved to laugh and to learn, and never stopped doing either one. She loved animals, most recently her special kitty friend, Pickles. She was interested and engaged in a broad variety of things including travel, music, reading, crosswords and Sudoku, but most of all she was interested in people. She possessed an astonishing amount of energy and spirit, which throughout her life she focused on caring for her family, friends, neighbours and also the much wider community beyond.

Over many decades, Mom brought her solid work ethic and impressive organizational skills to many organizations. Among these were the Trinity United Church, UCW, and for over 60 years she belonged to a group of wonderful, tireless women who made up the Hi-Lo Unit. She also canvassed for numerous charities and volunteered with Canadian Girls In Training, Camp Hurlburt, Venture Training (later accepting a paid position), UNICEF, Okanagan Community Concert Association, and was honoured with one of a small number of lifetime memberships after many years of involvement with Vernon Hospice Society.

June grew up on a farm in the Fraser Valley with two older sisters, Eileen and Charlotte, one older brother Howard, and her special charge, baby sister Alice. With only one boy on the farm, she worked very hard at both household work and the outdoor jobs traditionally done by men. This was especially true during the war years when she took on a job wiring ships at Vancouver dry docks.

After the war, Mom eventually made her way to Vernon in the early fifties to teach elementary school, and this is where she met and married Keith. During the next fifty-three years they worked hard, beginning with building their own home and over time raising their two children in it. After an official, if not complete, retirement they traveled extensively, sometimes with friends or family, always with each other while Dad was still living. Although not always easy or without hardship, lives of love and laughter, fully enjoyed and well-spent, dedicated and committed in the best sense of the terms. Seemingly "ordinary" lives lived by remarkable people in extraordinary ways.

Our hearts are heavy with loss, but also full of love and memories. Many things to many people, all of us have to hold and cherish, the lovely and kind spirit of this very special person called June.

A service and reception are being planned for June 11, 2018 (Mom's 94th birthday) at the Vernon Trinity United Church. Please call or check the Vernon Funeral Home website for updated details.

Heartfelt thanks and much gratitude to the phenomenal people at the North Okanagan Hospice House, Vernon Jubilee Hospital and with the Interior Health Community care teams. Also our thanks to the Vernon Funeral Home. We thank all the awesome family, friends and neighbours who have given so much of their time, care, kindness and support.

In lieu of flowers donations to North Okanagan Hospice Society, Vernon Jubilee Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society gratefully accepted and greatly appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vernon Funeral Home, Phone: 250-542-0155. Condolences may be offered at www.vernonfuneralhome.com
 Vernon Funeral Home

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