Obituary of Doreen 'June' Charlton

DOREEN “JUNE” CHARLTON Doreen was born to Bud and Bessie Brown of Duval, SK on July 1, 1923. June was the name preferred by her father, so the name Doreen remained only in her “D. June” signature. June admired her older sister Joy (Derby), appreciating her humour and quick wit. She engaged in a lifelong sibling rivalry with her younger sister Margaret (Frizzell) but had to concede Margaret’s “big heart”. The youngest of the family, Bill Brown, was all she hoped for in a brother. June and her sisters doted on him. June is the last member of Bud and Bessie’s family. June received her education in a one room school house in Dunkeld, SK before attending high school in Strasbourg, SK. She moved on to business college in Regina, forging friendships that lasted a lifetime. She took pride in a working career that lasted 3 ½ years before marrying Hilton (Phil) Charlton in Moose Jaw in April 1948. They celebrated fifty years of marriage before his death in 1998. They raised three sons, Aydon (Merrilee Rasmussen); Brien (Lorraine Bisson); and John (Sharon), with many of those years spent in their home at 1321 Retallack St. Regina. June expended much energy making that house a home and displayed similar dedication in her involvement at St. Peter’s Anglican Church. In 2000 June moved to Cathedral Courts in Regina, a fine residence for her remaining years. June was feisty, stubbornly independent and mightily frugal; understandable traits for someone raised on a Saskatchewan farm in the 1930s. She was never sentimental, always sociable and ready with a smile. She loved reading and placed a high value on the imagination. She would have thrived in this era when career and travel can be enjoyed while raising a family. Three people merit mention in this farewell: Maxine Charlton, whose years of caring for June should not be overlooked; Sharon Charlton, who was a joy to her; and Elta Brown, nobody treated June better than Elta. June leaves seven grandchildren (Carole, Brenda, Russell, Sheila, Kai, Zena, and Ciara) and two great-grandchildren (Dylan and Arturo). She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. June died peacefully on January 22, 2015, with family by her side under the care of the Arbor Oaks Personal Care Home. June will be cremated and her remains scattered at a place she loved to visit with Phil. A memorial service will be held after spring breaks through. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in June’s memory to your charity of choice.