It is with great sadness that the family of Kathleen “June” McDonald (Rumsby), announce the passing of June on March 16, 2020 in Victoria, British Columbia at the age of 81 years. June suffered a serious stroke in February 2019 from which she never fully recovered. June was born on June 14, 1938 to Alfred and Ann Rumsby. On August 28, 1965, June married her best friend and love, Joseph Peter McDonald, who preceded her in death in June 2015.
June was a wonderful, kind and gentle lady. She was a Nurse by profession having graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1960. June joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Flying Nurse from which she retired in 1964 in order to get married. Over the next 38 years until her retirement in 2003, June worked and travelled around the world; Canada, United States and Botswana.
June loved to see new places and spent her life traveling and raising her growing family in different countries. She was always ready for another adventure and over the course of her life took every opportunity to see and experience something new. In the 1960’s June jumped aboard a banana boat to travel down the coast of Central America, was brave enough to drive a battered beetle across Canada seeing a much as she could and was proud to be present when the Canadian flag was raised for the first time. She then moved to Jamaica where she experienced and enjoyed the reggae life, listening to Bob Marley perform in a simple Jamaican pub.
June gave birth to two children in Canada and two in Jamaica. Having children never slowed June down and in the early 70’s with kids on her and Joe’s back spent more than three months travelling throughout Central America. Next stop was Florida, USA and then on to Africa where she spent many happy years traveling throughout the continent. Her last adventure in 2019 was cruising down the Chobe River on a house boat, in Kasane, Botswana.
June is survived by her four children; Morgan (Steven) Brissette, Patrick (Jennifer) McDonald, Lindsay (Ahmed) Mangera, Alix (Lee) McDonald-Smith, her seven grandchildren; Nathanael, Steven, Brenna, Laila, Victoria, Liam and Hassan; her sister Stella Jacklin and her three sister in laws; Florence Stewart, Joan Angrove and Doris Rumsby.
A memorial service will be held in either August or September and more information on this will follow in due course.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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Thato (Grace) Kewakae
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Karen & Byron June was a wonderful lady, we are proud to have known her and call her a friend.
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Jazzking Ntalabgwe I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. May the soul of your mother be at peace with our Heavenly Father. She is now resting and looking down upon you as a Guardian Angel. May Her Soul Rest In Peace!!!
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Therese May your MOM SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE AND CONDOLENCES TO YOU LINDSAY AND THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY FROM THERESE AND FAMILY
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Joy Vista To The Mangera and McDonald families.. our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your dear Mom..
She lived and loved a wonderful life, her passing thru the veil was her final journey to meet your dad ..what a wonderful reunion that must-have been. It was my pleasure to meet her, may she rest easy and may her posterity grow.
Lotsa love from Joy Cedric and family
Gaborone, Botswana
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Sandy Angrove I am truly sorry for all of you. Your mom was one of the kindest people I ever met.
She always had a smile on her face and lots of stories to tell. I will miss her.
A great soul. I remember her kind and gentle nature quite vividly from Gaborone Private Hospital in Botswana. My father had just departed this world and there she was,standing besides the family whispering reassuring messages. That consolotation during the emotional confusion was most treasured