To view the service, please click here.
It is with great sadness that the family of June McConaghy announces her passing on June 25, 2021.
June will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Joanie (Dave) and Janet. Remembering her always with love and devotion will be her many nieces, nephews, extended family and her many dear friends.
June was predeceased by her beloved husband Tom of 60 years; sisters, Joyce and Joan; and brothers, John and Bud.
June will be remembered for her strength, and her positive view of the world and people. She devoted her life to all her family and to her career in the field of Education. June was a passionate educator and touched the lives of so many throughout her lifetime.
June was born in Aylmer, Ontario and at a young age her family moved to Ottawa where she met and married Tom in 1951. June moved to Edmonton with Tom and their two daughters in 1966 where Tom had accepted a position with the Alberta Teachers’ Association. After being at home with her family for a number of years June pursued a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Alberta. She began her teaching career with Edmonton Public Schools. After a few years in the classroom, June moved into consulting services as a language arts consultant where she shared her passion and expertise for language and literacy with teachers, administrators and colleagues. For June, the pursuit of higher education and receiving a PhD had always been a lifelong dream which was fulfilled in 1991. June spent the last 14 years of her career as Professor and Dean of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton. She was cofounder of the B.Ed (After Degree) program at Concordia and was appointed the first Dean of Education in 1998. June treasured her years at Concordia. Both June’s daughters Joanie and Janet followed in her footsteps in their own careers in Education.
June always made time for her family and friends, getting outdoors for long walks, weekends away with Tom in the mountains and travel with family. One of June’s most memorable experiences with life and travel was the year spent with her family living in England.
A private family service will be held at Robertson Wesley United Church on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed and all are welcome to attend virtually. A Celebration of June’s life will take place at a later date. Those wishing to do so may make donations in June’s memory to the Canadian Diabetic Association, The Lung Association or a charity of their choice.
Bev says
Joanie and Janet, I’m very sorry for the loss of your mum. She was very special to me. I’m so glad you have many wonderful memories. Love, Bev.
brian tillotson says
I’m so sorry about the loss off your mom l sure know how your feeling l lost my wife of 36 years in April If there’s anything l can do for you ladies please just let me know
Jan Jones says
Janet
I am very sorry to hear about your Mom. Your many wonderful memories will always be cherished. I fondly remember you telling us stories about her, and you always spoke with love and pride.
Jan
Rev. Bruce Miller and Rhea Jansen says
Hi Joanie and Janet,
We remember June with great fondness. I enjoyed our sharing memories of Ottawa. We were both Baptists from Ottawa, and remember well our youth in the Westboro area. Although we both struggled to get beyond our Baptist beginnings.
Rhea remembers so many meetings with June concerning the art program for teachers at Concordia. They were good friends.
It was my privilege to be June’s minister for a brief time at Robertson-Wesley, and I cherish my conversations with Joannie at the U of A.
Please accept our best wishes as you celebrate a wonderful mother and teacher and friend.
Denise A Kneteman says
The loving obituary tribute to June captured her many admirable qualities so perfectly. I had the pleasure of being June’s neighbour on Brander Drive, and although we didn’t know each other for a long time, or very well, we had the pleasure of each other’s company when we held our ladies lunches for a group of 6 or 8 in the neighbourhood. June was just the kindest, most well-spoken, and interesting woman, she was so impeccable in her dress, mannerisms and always had a funny or interesting story to share. When her home went up for sale, I was saddened to learn she wasn’t well, but at the same time amazed to find out her age – she was at least 10 years younger to me – “ageless” is so many ways. My sincere condolences to June’s family, I hope the memories you have of her will bring you comfort in the days ahead. I was so grateful to know June, and to see her every now and then. What a lovely picture of her – her smile lit up a room!
Diane and Mike Wilson says
It was with great sadness that we learned of June’s passing. Although my sisters and I grew up in NZ, my parents ( June’s brother Bud and wife Mary) told us a lot about June, Tom and their girls, Joanie and Janet. When my husband Mike and I finally met the family in 1982 we felt truly welcome, and greatly enjoyed June’s infectious sense of humour and fun. We were fortunate to meet up with Joanie, Dave, Janet, and June again a few years back. What a warm, happy evening that was! In recent years – until she became ill – June and I kept up by email and text. Losing June is a bitter blow for all her friends and family – but she has left a legacy of joy and love in her girls. Thinking about you all at this time. Lots of love
Diane and Mike
Brenda (and Jennifer and Ashley) says
Hello Janet,
I would like to express my condolences over the loss of your Mom. I didn’t know her well but she radiated an energetic aura of brightness and warmth, clearly partially based on intelligence but also just a nice person you felt good to be around. I know she was a big part of your life.
Bonnie Stewart says
My deepest sympathies Joanie, Janet, and to all the extended family. I am honoured to have known your mom through your cousin Jennifer. She was such a lovely lady and always smiling.
May all the wonderful memories that were made over the years, help you through this sad time. Sending my love.
Alison Seymour says
Dear Janet, Joanie and Dave,
I was very deeply saddened to learn of June’s passing and know how very much harder it is for you all to bear. June was such a wonderfully positive, cheerful, enthusiastic and youthful person in her outlook! It was always a great pleasure to be in her company! She seemed so very much younger in her looks and ways than her age in years. Her going back to university and earning her Ph.D. after you girls had gotten older was most impressive. To become Dean of Education at Concordia University was another noteworthy feather in her cap.
Joanie and Janet, I have so many wonderful memories of both your parents and of you as well from the time that you all moved out to Edmonton in the 60s when your father was hired to be editor of the ATA magazine. I swear that June remained so very young looking in all that time that it was hard to believe how much time had elapsed. It also made me so happy when, eventually, your parents came to Robertson-Wesley Church.
There are many very happy memories in my recollection of times when June and I met, sometimes with Catherine Eddy, sometimes just June and me. I especially cherish the times that June came to dinner and the opera with both Catherine and me and, later, just with me.
I also remember your parents visiting at our family home when my parents were still alive.
It was so very sad to learn from your mother about two years ago that she was experiencing a deterioration in her health and then to hear more recently that the deterioration had become more precipitate.
You and all your family will have many heart-warming memories of your mother to cherish in the days to come. Your remembrance of June in the newspaper is beautiful and I shall be preserving it. My sisters and I all send you our heart-felt condolences.
With much love to you all,
Alison Seymour
P.S. please don’t feel that you have to respond to this. I know that you will have so much on your plates at this time. (And my e-mail address is not in error. When my niece, who is now over 40, was learning to talk, she called me “Auntie Asilon”, which I have preserved in this fashion!)
Edgar Schmidt says
Dear Janet,
On behalf of all of us in the Faculty of Education, we offer you our sincere condolences. Although we could not join you, we are with you in spirit.
We also know the powerful influence your Mom had on the Faculty of Education here at Concordia. Her legacy of heart and mind will live on.
Sandra MacRae says
Dear Janet and Joanie,
June was a very special person who touched the lives of so many. Her kind, caring nature, love of laugher, positive outlook and gregarious nature will be remembered. She shared sincere interest in the lives and well being of those who had the pleasure to part of her life. When you had a conversation with June, you knew she gave you her complete attention – and heart. As an educator, her influence has been substantial and I feel fortunate to be one whose pedagogy and reflective practice was inspired and impacted by June. It was a blessing to have June touch one’s life. May your cherished memories help you through this time. My sincere sympathies.