Obituary of June WHITTLE

WHITTLE, June
June 9, 1928 - Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire
February 20, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

June Whittle, beloved and loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, passed peacefully on Saturday, February 20, 2021, in Calgary, AB at, the age of 92. She was predeceased by her husband Thomas Desmond Whittle in January 2015, her mother, Ada Morgan (nee Pilkington) in April 1996, and many other cherished family and friends. She will be sadly missed by her daughter Heather, son-in-law Andy, and grandson Colton Gray; as well as her cousin Howard Pilkington of Derbyshire, Wendy (nee Ratcliffe) and David Smith of Northants, England, school mate Phyllis (Bill) Prince of North Wales, the surviving members of the Whittle family, Nancy and Arthur Taylor, Olive Warring, nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends here in Canada and abroad.

June was born in Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, England, to Ada Morgan (nee Pilkington) and James Terrence Morgan on June 9, 1928. They lived with Ada’s sister (Eliza Jane) and husband (John (Jack) Ratcliffe) for several years, as times were hard in the 1930s. When June was three, her father went to London, England, seeking work. Correspondence ended shortly thereafter and it is assumed he passed around that same time. At age sixteen, she met her husband to be, Thomas Desmond Whittle, at a birthday party at the local pub. She was quickly welcomed into the Whittle fold. At age seventeen, June was hit in the back and had to have a kidney removed. Desmond came to the hospital with flowers, and as they say, the rest was history.

They were married on March 17, 1951. Desmond’s younger brother, John Everist (dec. February 2019) and his wife Monica (dec. May 2020) immigrated to Canada in 1954. Shortly after, with a little encouragement, Desmond and June packed up and made a new home in Calgary, AB, in 1957. The following year, June’s mom, Ada, joined them, and in 1964 their daughter Heather Diane was born.

When they first arrived in Canada, June worked for an insurance agency. After Heather was born, she stayed home to raise their daughter with help from Ada. Desmond decided to start his own radio communications business (T.D. Communications) where, for several years, June worked as his secretary.

Throughout the years, they loved to travel whether it was to the BC coast, the Okanagan to visit Ev, Monica, and their daughter Pamela (David Blair) or their trips back to England, and further abroad, to visit relatives and friends. They always came back with many stories to tell and fond memories. Although they cherished all their visits and trips, the ones that stood out the most were the trip to Australia and the many cruises they enjoyed together and with friends and family.

In 1995, Desmond was admitted into long-term care as dementia became a new reality. June moved next door into Chartwell Harbours Seniors Residence to be close to Desmond and visited him daily. After he passed, she continued to live at the Harbours, enjoying activities with new friends. She stayed there until June 2020, when dementia became her new reality also. She was admitted into long-term care at Bethany Calgary until she passed.

A Celebration of June’s Life will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on June’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in June’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com or to another charity of their choice. A heartfelt thank you to the staff and friends at Chartwell Harbours and Bethany Calgary for their support and understanding during June’s time there.

In living memory of June Whittle, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.