June Violet Barber

JUNE VIOLET BARBER

June 13, 1929 ~ March 18, 2021

We are sad to announce the passing of our wonderful mom and grandma, June Barber (Anderson), but know her life is to be celebrated.  June had a dignified presence and positive impact on many in our community.

She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Ron Barber; her parents Leonard and Aquina Anderson; in-laws, Cecil and Myrtle Barber; siblings: Rev. Lawrence (Edna) Anderson, Gene (Lillian) Anderson, Cliff (Irene) Anderson, Boyd (Loreen) Anderson, Verna (Revel) Montgomery, Jim (Bernice) Anderson, Martin Anderson and Marjorie (Frank) Linthicum. 

June will be missed by her children: Mal (Delaine) Barber, Brendine Mitchell, Carla Barber, Bonita (Barry) Wihak; her grandchildren: Andrew (Rhea) Barber [Olivia, Brittany, Pressley, Halle], Marie (Travis) Gansauge [Dexan, Briggs], David (Stefanie) Barber [Kade, Kolton, Brynn], Julie (Jeremy) Van Roon [Julina, Victoria, Zander], Rebecca (Mark) Johnston [Ava], Emily Fleming [Alex, Grace], Aquina Wihak and Forrest Wihak; her siblings: Lila (Elvin) Mitchell, Carl (Camille) Anderson, Thelma (Emil) Poirier; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

June was born on a ranch by the Grasslands Park, 18 miles south of Fir Mountain, SK.  From the time June could reach the keys, her passion and love for music was clear.  June’s extraordinary ear and talent was nurtured by her mother who convinced her father to send 14 year old June to the Convent of Jesus and Mary High School in Gravelbourg , SK where she studied piano with Mother St.Louis. There, June embraced her love of the Arts including being active in the drama club. She was profoundly grateful to the nuns for their dedication to education excellence. She frequently visited them at their retirement community in Quebec City. Years later on a trip to India, she visited their sister community which was run by Mother Teresa. June completed her Teacher’s College Diploma in Moose Jaw and her Associate Degree with the Royal Conservatory of Music, with continued tutelage under Francis England at the Regina Conservatory of Music. She had the foundation for her life path and joined the Music Teachers Association of Canada. June continued to enjoy activities in the Arts and when not teaching piano, she was active in Weyburn Little Theatre, the I.O.D.E. and the Saskatchewan Travelling Arts Program in the Schools.

Teenage June met the dashing ‘Ronnie’ Barber at a country social. They married in 1948 and settled in Weyburn where Ron joined his father in the GM business.  June began her teaching career during which she mentored, accompanied and adjudicated for the SE Saskatchewan music community for 60 years. She cherished her students as friends and continued to enjoy concerts with them in cities across Canada, especially opera in her later years. 

June enjoyed coaching and accompanying her grandchildren for the Weyburn Music Festival and in the last years, before dementia took its toll, a highlight for her was to watch her great grand-children perform in the children’s choir at Grace United Church. She also enjoyed quiet walks by the pond with Brendine at Tatagwa and played the cheery old time songs for all the residents. June and Ron supported their children and grandchildren in pursuit of their passions, whether they be equestrian sporting competitions in Weyburn or Spruce Meadows , musical theatre, spoken word, basketball, figure skating, rowing, hockey, competitive swimming or debating. June’s famous last words, “if you are going to do something, do it right.”

June fiercely loved her country and Queen, and proudly displayed the Canadian Maple Leaf on Canada Day. She traveled to every province.  She embraced our Canadian diversity so she was pleased when her grandchildren and great grandchildren enrolled in the french education stream. Her interests extended beyond our borders and led her to China, India, Great Britain, Germany and other continental destinations as well as the United States. These pilgrimages were always punctuated with music concerts, theatre, as well as art and history museum stops. June never forgot her Rock Creek roots, where she could laugh, relax and reminisce with her large extended family.

A Celebration of June’s life was held Monday, August 30, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn, SK with Rev. M. Barnabas officiating.  A Private Family interment was held at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, SK. 

Due to Covid 19, masks are required for the protection of compromised adults and young children in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, the Music Festival Association has recently accepted donations for a music festival award to honor the memory of June Barber and her musical contributions to our community.  For those wishing to contribute to this award, donations may be mailed to: #10 ~ Porter Bay, Weyburn, SK, S4H 3N4 or e-transfers to weyburnmfa@gmail.com

June’s family thanks the staff of Hill Top Manor for the compassionate care and friendship which they provided to June during these last years.  A special thanks to her friends and music students for the lifelong relationships that she treasured so dearly. 

For those wishing to attend virtually, please follow the live stream video by opening June’s memorial page on RD Family Funeral Chapel’s website starting at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 30, 2021.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of June Violet Barber, please visit our floral store.