JUNE ELIZABETH ETIENNE (SYRJA)

The family of June Elizabeth Etienne announces her passing on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances On.
Born in Fort William, Ont. on June 8, 1926, she was raised in Murillo, Ont. and educated at S.S. #3 Oliver Township, Port Arthur Collegiate, and Fort William Business College.
She left the employ of Thunder Bay Paper in 1946 to marry Waino Syrja. They had three children, Joyce, Hugh, and Edward (Ted).
June returned to the workforce in 1953, holding various office jobs in Thunder Bay. In 1963, the family relocated to Atikokan, Ont., where she worked for Canadian Bechtel and Premium Iron Ore.
In 1968, returning to Thunder Bay, June enjoyed her six years as school secretary at Vance Chapman School.
In 1971, June married Jack Etienne.
Mom returned to Atikokan in 1974 to work at Domtar Forest Products, the Economic Development Office, and then retired from her final job with the Atikokan Community Counselling Service.
In 2005, June moved to Emo, Ont. to be close to her daughter and family.
Always interested in music, and a former member of the Fort William Girls Pipe Band, she was noted for her ability to compose witty verses and songs. Happiest “on stage” with her accordian, entertaining, June was a perennial performer.
While living in Atikokan, June was a member of Riverside United Church and enjoyed duties with the Ladies’ Golf Club, the Crisis Centre, the Lions’ Club, the Atikokan Development Corp., the Royal Canadian Legion, Lakehead Toastmasters, and the Pioneer Centre.
In retirement, June organized a group of senior line dancers who became known as “June’s Pioneer Prancers.” In 1997, she was inducted into the Atikokan Hall of Pioneers.
In Emo, June joined Knox United Church, and organized musical nights and theme parties at both Queen Street Manor and Golden Age Manor. Mom looked forward to the monthly “Country Jam” at the Emo Legion.
In December, 2014, June moved to Rainycrest, where she played the piano after supper for the residents. She enjoyed the musical entertainment and monthly dances there, as well.
Mom loved to travel, going to Hawaii twice, a Caribbean cruise, a European tour of England, France, Germany, and Italy, Florida, and Las Vegas. She also had the opportunity to visit beautiful Kuwait prior to the invasion by Iraq.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Joyce Meyers (Don) of Emo, Ont., Hugh Syrja (Marilyn) of Longbow Lake, Ont., and Ted Syrja (Connie) of Thunder Bay, Ont.; grandchildren, Pam Van Heyst (Marvin) of Emo, Ont., David Syrja (Shannon) of Grande Prairie, Alta., Richard Peri of Grande Prairie, Alta., and Zachary and Abby Syrja of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and great-grandchildren, Jenaya and Noah Van Heyst of Emo, Ont., and Bryce and Drew Syrja of Grande Prairie, Alta.
Also surviving are her sister-in law, Liz McNally; as well as many nieces and nephews.
June was predeceased by her parents, Norman and Ina Lillian McNally; siblings, Ethel Markle, Ruth Hansen, Norman McNally, and Frank McNally (in infancy); brothers-in-law, Cliff Markle and Richard Hansen; husband, Waino Syrja; and special niece, Cherl Vandahl.
A celebration of June’s life was held Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, with Rev. Frances Flook officiating.
Interment will take place at a later date.
In memorium donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Rainycrest Long-Term Care c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
“Life’s A Dance, You Learn as You Go.
Sometimes You Lead, Sometimes You Follow.
Don’t Worry About What You Don’t Know.
Life’s A Dance, You Learn As You Go.”
—John Michael Montgomery