We Remember
DEMCHESON, June Harumi (née Chiba)
—
June 11, 1947 – July 29, 2021
June passed away in the care of the Kelowna Hospice House after a hard-fought battle at home with cancer on July 29, 2021.
Typical of the quiet, resolute person that she was during her illness, June never complained and was always upbeat whenever anyone called to ask how she was. “I’m fine” or “I’m doing well today” were common responses that were her way of confirming that she would never lose hope and her way of comforting those who cared and worried about her. June was a very good person, and the world has suffered a very big loss with her passing.
She will always be remembered in the hearts of her husband of 51 years, Roy; her four sisters Heather Keating, Kathy Stearns, Elaine Tucker, and Geri May Bradford; as well as her sisters’ partners; several nieces and nephews; numerous relatives; and the many friends that she gathered over the years.
June was born in Kelowna in 1947, the first of five girls. Her parents were orchardists in Rutland and June grew up tending to the farm with her parents and sisters and attending Rutland Elementary and Rutland Secondary schools. She then completed a degree in Education at UBC. Roy and June were schoolmates and married in Kelowna in 1969 followed by almost 50 years of living and working on the coast. More recently, June and Roy returned to their roots in Kelowna and June was able to spend the last years once again among family and early friends.
During the years at the coast, June taught English and Japanese at Queen Elizabeth’s Secondary School in Surrey. Her summers were glorious times with fishing and camping trips across BC’s wilderness, and winters spent skiing in the mountains surrounding Vancouver. School Vacation times also became filled with travel as Roy and June crossed the globe seeking new cultures and vistas. Typical weekends at home were spent visiting and sharing dinner parties with a large number of friends and family. In her busy life, June still made time to volunteer at the Vancouver Wine festival and ‘Bard on the Beach’. June also served as a volunteer shopper in Burnaby and then later in Kelowna.
June and Roy complimented each other perfectly in their 51 years of marriage, and this was celebrated in 2019 with a festive dinner party in their home in Kelowna. So many old friends and family members came from all parts to honor them in this major milestone in their life together. Recollection if that day will last forever in everyone’s fond memories of her.
What was June like? The answer to that is that she was so many things to so many people. As the oldest sister of five, June was the responsible team leader. To Roy, she was the loving soulmate who made his world so much better as soon as she entered it. To friends and other family, June was the calm, thoughtful companion who could always be counted on to treat everyone with her own style of quiet dignity.
Due to Covid restrictions, a celebration of June’s life will be held at a later date, while a funeral service will be held with immediate family. Those wishing to remember June can do so by making donations to the Kelowna Hospice House or the BC Cancer Foundation.
Rest in Peace, June. We will miss you.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country
I am so very sorry to hear of June’s passing and wish to send my heartfelt condolences.
I had the pleasure of volunteering with June at Bard in the Beach and will always remember her calm nature and joyful presence.
It was a joy volunteering at the Community Theatre with Joy. She was always calm, pleasant and very helpful. I will miss her. RIP
I worked along side June for many years at Bard on the Beach and will
remember her for her gentleness, kindness and always a ready smile. God bless you Dear Lady.
I am so sorry to hear of your families loss. Heather if you need a shoulder, I’m here for you.
I met June while teaching at QUEEEN ELIZABETH SECONDARY SCHOOL and came to know her as a wonderful and caring person with a ready smile. I used to work for the Chiba family orchards when I lived in Vernon. It was nice to talk to June about our experiences growing up in the Okanagan Valley. It was a pleasure to have known her and my wife Bev and I will miss her greatly. Roy I did look up at the stars and there was one burning a little brighter..
I am so sorry for your loss – June will be missed. I was a fellow Bard volunteer but didn’t work directly with her. However I spent such a remarkable day with her as we went in a small group to Calgary to catch a matinee of the Great Gatsby . June was a calm and smiling person and such a pleasure to share that unusual, for me, experience. I then remember her coming down from Kelowna to put in some more hours at Bard. She was quite the lady!
June and I enrolled in the Extended Practicum at UBC in September 1968 and then both of us began teaching in Surrey in September 1969. We often shared memories of both of these times as well as saying hello whenever I saw her volunteering at Bard on the Beach or at the Writers’ Festival. June was a wonderfully generous and kind person who will be missed. Thank you, June, for making our world a better place.
My sincere sympathy to June’s husband and family. I met June when my husband, Mike, taught at Queen Elizabeth Secondary. She was always very pleasant and had a ready and warm smile. I envied her calmness.
Mrs. Demcheson was a role model for me at Queen Elizabeth Secondary. As my grade 12 English teacher, she taught me much about writing, and about thinking critically and creatively. Her calm demeanor and lovely smile live on in my memory. She was also the yearbook sponsor for my QE grad year (1976-77). What a job! I was thrilled to run cross paths with her at the Writer’s Festival years later, and amazed that she could greet me by name. Her manner was always one of gracious kindness. My condolences to the family.
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I worked with June as a volunteer at Bard on the Beach, She was a delight
to know and I always loved meeting up with her at the Bard, she made working there even more special.
My condolences to Roy & all members of June’s family.
Please accept my deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts to Roy and families. I had the greatest joy of sharing a beautiful friendship with June and we covered a lot of miles running the routes and path of the lower mainland 💞
Dear Roy,
I was so saddened to hear of dear June’s passing. She was such a quiet, warm and thoughtful person and will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched. I will remember her best from our many enjoyable dinners and bridge get-togethers at Cassie Avenue (now given way to Metrotown) way back when we were all newly married and starting out our lives together.
My thoughts are with you at this sad and difficult time.
Warm regards from Anne (Brevig)
I worked with June at QE around 2000, and we carpooled. She was such a thoughtful mentor during our daily conversations, whether about pedagogy or convincing my doubting self that the Harry Potter books really were worthwhile. She had such a way in her classroom, her calm self-possession helping students to find that within themselves. Her integrity and interest in the world have left a mark on countless students and colleagues.
Dearest Roy and family,
We were saddened to learn of June’s passing. She was the most benevolent, generous, one-of-a-kind friend that we will dearly miss. She had embodied wonders, strength and love, bringing out the best in an individual. You and June had hosted our “engagement” party for the running/ walking group from the Bonsor Recreational Centre in Burnaby, BC. June will forevermore be in our hearts.
So sad to hear of June’s passing. She was fun to work with at the Kelowna Community Theatre. We will all miss her. Deepest condolences to her family.