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It is with profound sadness that we announce that June (Butler) Large passed away at Marshall Gowland Manor, Sarnia on July 21st at the age of 87. Beloved wife of the late William (Bill) Large. Loving mother of Kathy and Jeff (Lori). Cherished grandmother of Jeremy, Chelsea, Matthew, Ryan and Lindsay. Loving great-grandmother of Chase, Emmitt, and Easton. Dear sister of Helen, Barb, and William. Beloved aunt of several nieces and nephews. Loved daughter of Lawrence Butler and Ethel (Winterbottom) Butler.
What can be said about such a special person in so small a space. June was a warm, kind, steadfast, easygoing, down-to-earth person which reflected her upbringing in a compassionate, loving household making the most of their means. Growing up with her family on their double lot in Wallaceburg, Ontario, June cared for her disabled brother William alongside her sisters, sharing many living room dances together. Making clothes, tending to food gardens, enjoying school, spending time at the beach, and raising animals kept June busy and formed a foundation for her future passions. As a testament to her strength following the early loss of her parents, June moved to Sarnia to start anew with an insurance job, and soon met the love of her life, Bill. She had an exciting and joyful career spanning her time as a soda jerk, ice cream scooper, insurance staffer, loving mother, Zellers cashier, and retiree. Her famous smile, giggle, and gentle hello graced all passers-by of her yellow brick house on the corner of Willa Drive for decades.
She lived a life filled with time outdoors, gardening, coffee chats, summering at her camping trailer, enjoying films, spending time with Bill, her siblings, her friends, and her children, as well as lovingly raising and inspiring the next generations of her family. As someone who truly enjoyed people, June will be remembered and missed by all those touched by her presence. Forever devoted to her husband and family, this gentle woman was a loving spirit and a humble role model for the next generations and her many lessons will not be soon forgotten.
June’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Marshall Gowland Manor for their exemplary efforts and their attention to the personal needs of June over her last years. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the Inn of the Good Shepherd (Sarnia, ON), the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy, and/or a registered Canadian charity of their choice. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia.