June Anne Gulley (née Chatfield) passed away peacefully the evening of Saturday, February 11, 2023, swaddled in the love of family and friends near and far, and under the tender compassion and care of nurses at Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.
Born in 1946 in Ipswich, England, June (Junie or Junie-bell) is survived by loving husband, Raymond Gulley of Markdale; her two beloved children: Kim Griffiths (Blair Neely) and Greg Griffiths (Candiece) and five adored grandchildren: Grace, Georgia, Max, Jasper and Jasmine. June was also loving step-mum to Andy Gulley (Penny) and Michael Gulley (Dawn) and three more adored grandchildren: Brianne, Carley and Cameron. Loving sister, Doreen Jones (John) will also miss her more than words can say.
Emigrating to Canada by ship with her family when she was three, June spent her childhood in the Hamilton and Burlington area. Once graduated from high school, she transferred back to the UK with her parents. There she studied to be a nurse, met her first husband and welcomed her daughter to the world. Eager for a change, the young family moved to Canada, and specifically to the familiar Hamilton area where her sister had settled with her husband. It wasn’t long after that their family was complete with the birth of their son.
June worked in the healthcare industry and then eventually had a lengthy and rewarding career in the radio dispatch room of the Halton Police where she was a supervisor. June was very well respected in this position and made many life-long friends amongst her colleagues.
The crafty side of June came shining through for her children, and eventually her passion became a second career following her retirement from the police force. There was nothing June could not sew or knit! Halloween costumes, winter coats, graduation dresses for her kids. Then quilts, monogrammed linens, bags for dance shoes, costumes for school musicals, embroidered jeans for trendy grandkids, and tea cozies for hot pots of tea! And the list goes on and on. You were a lucky mother-to-be if June got invited to your baby shower!
For many years June was involved with the Osprey Museum Quilters Guild in Feversham, the Rob Roy Quilters Group and especially Threads That Bind Quilt Shop in Maxwell. June loved to teach, lead and encourage others of all ages, to learn the art of quilt making. At work, she spent many days and hours helping customers plan their next projects and teaching both kids and adults to sew and quilt. June was a vibrant and valuable staff member and friend for over 15 years with those she loved working alongside.
June believed in community and spent countless hours helping to organize the Feversham Fall Fair and in particular, the Fall Fair Quilt Show. As a Master Quilter she won many prizes and accolades over the years for her quilt entries in the local fairs. June’s reputation was well known for quilt repair – especially for valuable heirloom and century old quilts. People from far and wide sought out her repair expertise. In the quilt world, she was a mentor and friend to so many – and everyone loved her.
For the last 32 years June has been married to Ray and so for decades was part of the wondrous Gulley clan – camping and music on weekends, a revolving door of drop ins, the famed Gulleyfest Bluegrass Festival that was a highlight of every summer for years. June embraced this life and even the back of Ray’s motorcycle for hundreds of adventurous road trips.
June’s fearless and curious spirit made her a brave and independent world traveller. She even travelled on an empty airplane to Hong Kong to see her first grandchild born during SARS… nothing was going to keep her from this momentous event! She also visited Japan, Italy, Yellowknife and Saskatoon on her own for the sake of her kids. (We could run but we could not hide from Mum!)
June will be desperately missed by her children, grandchildren, her husband, her sister, extended family and dear friends.
Words cannot express the deep gratitude her children have for the doctors that helped her in this journey the last 14 months, the caring and compassionate staff of Kingsway Lodge in St Mary’s, and finally the women at the hospice in Stratford who can only be described as angels.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted by Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth. A Celebration of June’s Life is being planned for mid-May in the Stayner area.