Obituary of June Russell

RUSSELL, June

1931 - 2023

Family is saddened to announce the passing of June Russell on December 8, 2023. Born June 14, 1931, she was the daughter of Robert and Alma Buckley. Her husband Ronald J. Russell predeceased her in
1994.

June is survived by her three daughters and two sons: Susan Buckley and her husband Paul; Sheila Springer and her husband Randy; Patrick Russell and his wife Elsa; Colleen Van Wart and her husband Blaine; and Robert Russell and his partner Cheryl Geldart. She also leaves nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Matthew Buckley (Amy) and their sons Luke and Sam; Gregory Van Wart (Annick); Paula Buckley (Tom); Rachel Van Wart (Robert) and their son Walter; Colin Springer; Rebecca Russell (Brad); Stephen Buckley (Mary Emma); Brent Russell (Haley); and Madison Russell. She is also survived by her sisters: Peggy Martin; Hope Jones and her husband Garth; her brother Bob Buckley and his wife Muriel; Ronnie's sisters Maureen Boerner, Isabella Coates, and Rosalind Murray; sister-in-law Sue Russell; and her many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, June was predeceased by her sisters Lolly Chamberlain and Betty McLaughlin; Ronnie's sister Betty Lenihan, and his brother David Russell; Brothers-in-law: Paul Martin, Joe Chamberlain, Bill McLaughlin, Bob Lenihan, Ron Coates and Pat Murray; one niece and four nephews.

June was strong, independent, and active. She started her teaching career at a young age, from 1948 to 1959. Her first classes were taught in a one-room schoolhouse followed by several years with elementary schools in Saint John. The Russell home where June resided until her passing was among the first built in Forest Hills. She and her family were parishioners of St. Ann's Church since 1960. June cherished her camp on the Belleisle Bay that she and Ronnie built in 1972. June was the family member with the excellent memory envied by all and her family stories from the 1930s to date will be treasured.

Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John on Thursday, December 14, 2023, with visiting from 2 to 8 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Ann's Church, 135 Simpson Drive, Saint John, on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 11 am followed by Interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery. For those unable to attend, please join via live stream by visiting the Brenan's Funeral Home website.