Duncan British Columbia - Evelyn June Bryans, 84, passed away on October 30th, 2017 at the Duncan Memorial Hospital.
June was born in Varney Ontario in 1933 during a difficult economic time. She quickly learned how to survive and sustain herself with little means. She didn't know at the time that this lesson of hardship was going to be the foundation of her life's work.
June relocated to Galt (Cambridge), and worked as a candy striper and later as a nurse's aide at the Galt Hospital (now CMH). Her passion to help people was prevalent at an early age in her day to day actions and duties. It didn't take long for her entrepreneurial spirit to awaken, which lead to the owning and operating of a variety of successful boarding and halfway home businesses, as well as two restaurants.
June's Lodge, a 38 bedroom rooming/boarding house was a respite for those in need and June's Place, a restaurant on Main, was the go-to place if you were ever hungry. Her hand up approach was prevalent in everything she did.
June was best known as "Ma!" in the community because of her open door policy and upbeat magnetic personality. Her signature laugh was notorious, as was her one-on-one talks.
June built a network of family and touched hundreds of lives before moving to British Columbia in 1983, beginning a new chapter in her book of life.
She continued her pursuit of helping others in need upon arrival to Vancouver Island by providing affordable housing and care for both the elderly and youth in trouble. June thrived in a communal setting and was actively involved in the Duncan Community Center. She had firm political views that she frequently shared with the local government and the newspaper. She had the loudest voice when fighting for the underdog.
Her artistic side shone through with her love of music, dance, singing, and cooking. June was considered the life of the party, full of spunk, and a real social butterfly.
May you be dancing in heaven, feeding the masses, and telling the saints how to do it better!
She is survived by her children: Ronny Crosby, Kim Richardson, Judee Richardson-Schofield and partner, and John Richardson and partner. Grand children: Joshua Richardson, Michelle McClellan, Crystal Smillie, Jacob Richardson-Schofield, Alexandria Osbourne, Victoria Osbourne, Robert Ferguson, Peter Ault, Ryan Ault, and Jenelle Nelson. Great Grandchildren: Nova and Nash Smillie, Jackson Kulhawy, Brayden, Logan, Liam and Ty McClellan and Finn Ault.
June is predeceased by daughter Cheryl Ault and grandchildren Jeremy Richardson and Tracy Crosby.