Mrs. June Laura Weaver Irving

      To June Laura Irving, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For June, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. June really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

      June was born on April 26, 1934 at home, 4 Alpha Ave in Toronto, Ontario. Her parents were Frederick and Margaret Weaver. June was raised in Toronto, Ontario. Even as a child, June had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn't help but capture everyone's attention. She was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, she succeeded in entertaining her entire family.

      Always a good playmate, June was easygoing and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even during family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, June managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. June was raised with two siblings. She had two older brothers, George and John.

      All of June's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, June experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She loved riding her bike. In her spare time she also liked skipping, playing jacks and dancing.

      Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that June was a class “cut-up.” She didn't do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, June simply enjoyed others' laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for June, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience. Since experience was June's best teacher. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Mother Mary Ruth.

      June never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed June to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. June delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, June was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. June utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, one of her best friends was Barb Sampson. Later in life, she became friends with Richard Dierks, Florence Brookes and Bob Watson. June loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.

      The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made June very easy to approach. On December 13, 1952 June exchanged wedding vows with Allan Marshall Irving at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Toronto, Ontario. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people's feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

      Perhaps the reason June related so well to children was the fact that she never really completely grew up herself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped her in raising her own children. June was blessed with two daughters, Karen and Audrey. They were also blessed with four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, June's grandchildren are Alicia, Jason, David, Jenna and her great-grandchild isTaylor. June had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that's where all of her attention was directed. June's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, June had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

      At work, as in life, June was a real “people person. ” she had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. June liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, June was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. June's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see June as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was a homemaker.

      June enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, June liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were dancing, Girl Guides and puzzles. June was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      June enjoyed bowling and was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were Gold and Hockey.

      June had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, June's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged. Throughout her later years, June was an active member of the Girl Guides of Canada.

      A generous person who often wore her heart on her sleeve, June often found herself involved in activities she deemed important. She was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made her a natural volunteer. Outspoken in her beliefs, yet tactful in her dealings with others, June was a proud member of the Girl Guides.

      Naturally outgoing and generous, June was regularly doing things for others. For her, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, June was given accolades for her many and varied accomplishments throughout her life. One of her most prestigious awards iwas a 30 years service pin from the Girl Guides.

      Living life in the fast lane suited June just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Florida, Rochester, New York and Emily Park Ontario.

      June was a lover of animals and cherished her pets, enjoying them almost as much as she enjoyed being around other people. One of June's favorites was Tony a Budgie. They were best friends for 3 years. Her family was rounded out by her tropical fish and her dogs.

      June believed that you had to experience life, and her life in retirement was no different. With her boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, June remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, she found new pleasure in travelling and spending time with her grandchildren. Even in retirement, June continued to stay in touch with her old friends and, since she'd never met a stranger, she made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

      June passed away on September 30, 2008 at Toronto East General Hospital. June fought a long and couragous battle against cancer. She is survived by her husband Allan, her two daughters and sons-in-law, Karen (Stewart Langdon), Audrey (John Bunce), her grandchildren Alicia, Jason, David and Jenna, and her great-grandchild Taylor. Services were held at the Giffen-Mack Funeral Home and Cremation Centre. June was laid to rest in St. James Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario.

      June brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. June Laura Irving lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.