ORD, June

June 16, 1946 — May 6, 2022

It is with incredible sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, G-ma, sister and aunt, June Ord (née Foley), on May 6, 2022. She is survived by her daughters, Tracey Wikenheiser (Alan) and Lesley Ord (Douglas); former husband, Alexander Ord; grandchildren, Ainzley, Barry and Ewan; siblings, Carolyn Brandon (Bill) and Adele Foley (Gord); as well as nieces & nephews Kathy Weir (Jim), Nanette Warman (Mark), Jamie Westerhof (Glen), Stuart Brandon (Stephanie), Lyndsay Seed (Stephen) and Stuart Ord (Natalie). June was predeceased by her parents Francis and Doris Foley; her son-in-law Barry Brooks; and grandson Colton Brooks.

Born in Manchester, UK on June 16, 1946, June was the eldest of three girls. As the daughter of an RAF airman, she spent time in both Pakistan and Canada before moving back to England, where she spent the rest of her childhood. She then married and started her own family and in 1974 immigrated to Edmonton, AB, with her young family. There she taught preschool and raised her two girls. She was a dedicated mother who travelled each weekday on two buses and a train (each way) to ensure her girls could attend a school of the arts. She hosted sleepovers every weekend and was a Brownie and Girl Guide leader. She ensured her daughters were exposed to live theatre, the symphony, art galleries and museums… and even made sure her girls experienced the Commonwealth Games despite not having tickets (by lying on the grass and watching under the crack beneath the stadium scoreboard). June would often drop Tracey and Lesley off at the Edmonton Public Library on Saturdays with their friends. While they were under the impression she was trying to expose them to the world’s great wordsmiths, it was not until they were adults that she admitted she was actually taking the opportunity to enjoy a child-free lunch and drinks with her mother or friends. Don’t worry… it was the 70s; those were different times.

In 1982, June moved to Kelowna, BC with her family, where she successfully managed restaurants and eventually the Sandman Housekeeping department for numerous years. She was highly respected and admired by all those she worked for and with. She was so highly respected by the Sandman organization that she was brought back from retirement to act as a consultant to various Sandman properties across Canada.

She was a fiercely proud and involved grandma. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than watching her grandchildren grow and spending time with Ainzley watching RuPaul, watching Manchester United matches with Barry and going to Science World with Ewan.

June was an amazing friend to many and enjoyed being social and spending time with her friends. She loved hosting Boxing Day open house (Christmas was her favourite holiday) and monthly dinners for her friends. She was kind and generous to a fault and made sure no one went without.

She loved to travel and returned to the UK many times, as well as Paris, Rome and New York. She especially loved New York and went to as many Broadway shows as she could during each visit. Tea at the Plaza and Ellen’s Stardust Diner were also favourites. One of her fondest New York memories was shopping with her daughters at Tom Ford. She was thrilled to be asked if she’d like champagne and the level of attention the boutique offered. Tracey and Lesley will be forever grateful that they were able to join their mum on her last trip to New York before the arrival of the pandemic.

In February 2021, June was diagnosed with cancer and was courageous and hopeful throughout. She rarely complained, although we knew she was in great pain. In typical June style, she made friends with the lab technician, receptionists and other patients. She said she was grateful and valued every day she was given after her diagnosis. Her only wish was to spend the time remaining with her family. It was a long, painful 15 months, and we are heartbroken at her passing, but are comforted knowing she is no longer in pain. We felt blessed to be able to care for her at home and surround her with love in her final moments.

We would like to thank Dr. Lange for the care he provided; the palliative nurses, Kim and Crystal, for being so caring and supportive to June and ourselves in the last weeks; and Beryl Baldeo for her kindness and comfort in our mum’s final days.

We would like to thank Kelly and Sean for orchestrating the Sandman hosting our last getaway with our mum at the Sutton Place Hotel. It was a lovely weekend, and we were so grateful and thankful for your kindness.

We would like to thank our mum’s dear friends Julia, Sandy, Debbie, Mandy, Fae, Lillia, Michelle, Peggy and Kelly for supporting our mum throughout her illness and being there until the end. Your friendship, visits, phone calls, concern and love meant everything to her. She truly valued her friendships with you all.

We would especially like to thank our auntie Carol and uncle Bill who were a huge source of love, comfort and support, without whom we simply could not have done the last few weeks.

Mum/G-ma we love you more than there are words to express and will forever miss you. We will miss your daily positive text messages, advice, support, love and laughter. Your energy and light was so warm, strong and comforting that we still feel it and will bask in it until we are together again. Rest in paradise our beautiful mum/G-ma.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you visit your doctor and, if you haven’t yet had one, ask your doctor for a FIT test.

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