June Kathleen Statham

We are sad to announce June Kathleen Statham (nee MacDonald) passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2020 following a debilitating stroke on September 12, 2020 from which she never recovered.

 She was born to Alice and Archie MacDonald alongside her twin brother John Kenneth MacDonald in 1929.

 She was raised on the MacDonald family farm near Stranraer, Saskatchewan with four siblings Jim, Charles, Dorothy and John. Being raised in her childhood years during the great depression had a profound effect on her, enabling her to be a survivor. She was a very frugal and resourceful woman, sewing all her own clothing making sure she had the latest patterns and using colours that were in style for the times. She would save and reuse almost everything. She loved a clean house and made sure her house was spotless.

 Her aspirations were to become a nurse. After grade 10 she moved to Tisdale from Stranraer to train with the nuns at Tisdale Hospital. Illness made that goal unachievable. While in hospital she met Clifford Statham who she married in 1950.

 Cliff and June farmed south of Star City and raised two children Deanna and Ken. Selling cream was a way she could earn her own spending money. Making bread, tending to big gardens, canning vegetables and cooking for hired men consumed her time. She learned to play piano from her Aunt Anne and played ragtime, dance tunes and hymns, all by ear. She couldn’t resist playing something if she saw a piano.

 She loved the community life of living on the farm, entertaining guests, being part of the social clubs and a small drama club. They loved dancing and organized many barn dances on the farm. Cliff and June would later divorce in 1968.

 Some of her happiest days were living in Calgary, working for Greyhound Bus Lines in the data entry department (she would often boast how fast she could type!), building a social life, playing clarinet in the band, square dancing, and traveling aboard cruise ships.

 She enjoyed her grandchildren and especially loved the little ones, her great-grandchildren.

 She enjoyed living at the Regina Lutheran Home and we are so thankful to Dr. Lotz as well as all the staff that lovingly cared for her there. Her life there was more meaningful due to recreation activities, nursing, care aide visits and the care home cat (Timmy) who would come and lie on her bed in the afternoons.

 She was a real character, always had a way of surprising you with her interesting personality and antics.

 June will be missed by her sister Dorothy Torry, her sister-in-law Ellen MacDonald, her sister-in-law Alma MacDonald, her daughter Deanna Barlow (Cal), her grandchildren Dylan Barlow (Manola), Anna Sabourin (Jeremy), Harland Barlow, her great-grandchildren Holden, Jett, Bo, Jaxson, Emmet, and many nephews and nieces. June was predeceased by her only son Kenneth Wayne Statham in 1991, her brothers Jim, John, and Charles MacDonald.

 A small family gathering will be held in New Hope Lutheran Church, Regina, SK on Saturday, October 10, 2020.