June Harrington

With heavy hearts we say goodbye to our dear mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and loyal friend June Harrington who passed away Jan. 30th. June passed away in the comfort of her home, surrounded in love, as beautiful music of faith filled the room. Her daughter Carolyn Simle, son-in-law Gord Simle, and her loving granddaughter Bobbie Cameron stood by her side as June departed for her journey home. June had two children Derek Gover who sadly left us in 2022, through an illness, and her daughter Carolyn that resides in Cochrane Alberta with her husband Gord. 

Derek has three sons Bill Wilson, Rusty Dunn and Jamie Gover; and a lovely daughter Sarah Gover, all who Mom loved and was so proud of. All reside in Ontario. She dearly loved and was very grateful to her grandson Bill Wilson who lived and cared for her for a year in Calgary before returning to St. Thomas Ontario. She had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and even had the pleasure of being a great-great-grandmother. 

She was so very close to her granddaughter Bobbie and her husband Grant Cameron as well as her great-granddaughter Karlie and her husband Marco. Oh, how she loved being around her family in gatherings. It was her biggest pleasure in life. June so looked forward to the many lunch and shopping days with Carolyn, Bobbie and Karlie. Those days were filled with so much love and laughter; she loved just sitting and having coffee and a good old gab with her girls. June so enjoyed attending church with her daughter Carolyn and going for Sunday Brunch. June had the opportunity and enjoyed to travel to some amazing places with her family out west.

A day in Bragg Creek with family was a cherished time for June . A place that brought her so much joy. Of course, it had to include fish and chips at her favorite place to eat, an old fashion cowboy hotel that had a band and a dance floor to show off her moves. It was one of her favorite outings even though she was blind. So, it is only fitting that both June with her Son Derek will be buried together in Bragg Creek in a beautiful country setting. There will also be a large gathering this summer in Bragg Creek in her honour; a beautiful outdoor country setting with music, drums and dancing to celebrate her life and giving us the opportunity to express our admiration for this incredible woman.

June constantly bragged about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with pride and joy in her extended family.

June was happily married to Norman Harrington for many years, but sadly he went home ahead of June in 2014. June had gained a wonderful extended family through Norm.  A family that she loved very dearly. Betty Howarth her stepdaughter and husband Paul, as well as their lovely children Mike, Kim and Dawn and grandchildren. There was also her stepdaughter Judy Schnurr, her husband Lloyd and their children Russ, Heather and Andrew and grandchildren. June thought of all her family as blessings and was grateful every day for them. June regretted having to leave family and friends behind in St. Thomas Ontario when she moved out west to Calgary. Especially friends like Iris and Stan Fleury who she loved dearly.

June was a very loving and kind soul and loved to give; oh, my goodness did she love to give. June was always looking for ways to help people. Even after going blind and later fighting a painful kidney disease she never lost sight of those who needed help and reached out because it was in her DNA. It was in her generosity that she felt close to the one she loved the most, Jesus Christ. June struggled near the end but managed to make several recordings to members of her family to express one last time devotion and love for them; she wanted them to know how grateful she was that she had them in her life, how precious they were to her and how proud she was of each and every one of them.  It was the one last gift she had to give at the end of her life before she said goodbye - encouragement.

It was obvious to everyone who knew June that she had a strong faith and loved Jesus Christ, so we take comfort in knowing that she is now face to face with Jesus and all the ones she loved that went ahead. Her husband Norm, her brother Jimmy Symms, her sister Shirly Dunn, her mom and dad James and Gwen Symms, and many others she dearly missed.

There are many places throughout the scriptures that try to express the beauty of heaven, but we cannot begin to comprehend something that we have nothing to compare such spectacular beauty to. Today June knows because she is there surrounded in its magnificent glory walking hand and hand with the one she loved the most. We are going to miss her deeply but have peace that we will be together again when it is our turn to go home. To our real home. See you later June. Thank you for being such a wonderful example and influence in our lives. You have left this world a better place because you were here. It was an honour just knowing you and having you in our lives is an expression of God's love for us. Just until we meet again. See you soon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local SPCA or animal shelter.