June Walton

June Walton - A daughter, a wife, a mother, grandma, great grandma, aunty, cousin, carer and friend. June embraced all of these roles with enthusiasm and love.

Born in 1936 to John and Amy in Hull, she was a very much-loved daughter. There were many stories about her time living at Queens Road in Hull, some of those during the war years. Tales of going to the St John's Hotel next door for her dad's beer which was warmed up on the open fire, and spending time in an air raid shelter – these were recounted to grandchildren when they needed help with school projects. In 1945 sadly June's life changed with mum Amy dying and then, when she was 12, her dad John died. The sadness of that loss never left her. The plan had been for June to live in Canada with an Aunt who ran a children's home, but such was June’s strength of character that she refused and decided she wanted to live with her cousin Eva, and Eva's new husband Fred. This meant June moving to the South Bank, firstly Croxby Top and then Horkstow on pig farms where Fred worked. Their young family became June's family.

June had many jobs, including working in a rope factory in Barton, dry cleaners, working on the land, cleaner at NYPRO and the local chippie, Kingston's, on the Riddings Estate in Scunthorpe. Also as a school dinner lady, selling Avon, often working 2-3 jobs at a time. However her most rewarding role was as a nursing auxiliary, firstly on a geriatric ward and then the children's ward. When she retired, she continued caring for those in the community, setting up and running a social club for the visually impaired in Crowle. June organised days out, holidays and fund-raising activities, which often involved her husband Frank participating in sponsored runs. June was a natural carer, and Sandra mentioned that, no matter what age you were, she always looked after you. An example given that if you were ill, she always made sure that what you needed was there, whether that was calling out the doctor or simply a bottle of Lucozade.

June met her late husband Frank when she went to meet her friend Brenda in Ferriby Sluice for a night out at the pictures, but unfortunately (or fortunately), Brenda had been asked to work a shift at the local pub and Frank asked if he could go in Brenda’s place. The rest is history, June and Frank married when June was 18 and they went to live in Crawshaw Terrace in Scunthorpe. Frank’s family, he was one of 10, became June’s family. Children quickly followed. Susan, Sandra, Mark and Robert. Her family further expanded with the birth of 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren with another on the way. One of her grandchildren recently described how the word 'family' summed up their Grandma, stating that ‘she was there for us all, her desire for a big family and dedication to her family shining through'.

June was always delighted to have another newborn grandchild in her arms and years of cuddles, guidance and encouragement followed with grandma attending as many events as she could: school plays, band concerts, football matches and birthday parties being just a few. For the older of the grandchildren when they reached 18, there was the treat of a 'date' night with grandma and grandad to a restaurant of their choice. Individual precious time, which they will not forget.

June loved having her grandchildren for sleepovers, they might help make those famous date and walnut cakes, time at the park, walks, and swimming. Amy and Emma particularly enjoyed suppers, a treat they didn't have at home.

Her children remember the annual family holidays to Cornwall, Norfolk, Blackpool, Scarborough and Skegness. Family holidays continued with grandchildren and great grandchildren to the Lake District, Kettlewell, Beadnell, Menorca, Paris, and Cyprus just being a few. Sandra remembers the holiday to Egypt with June where she had great delight in riding the camels with Sandra and Frank walking beside her. Frank had done this many years before when he did National Service.

With her children grown up, June’s adventurous spirit came to the fore, when she travelled to Singapore, Malaysia and Australia with Frank. There was always a holiday, day out, or visit to family being planned and undertaken. Robert, Millie and Martha recall the visits to North Shields and Whitley Bay, where June would watch Millie and Martha compete in the Junior Great North Run and Frank running alongside Martha in the Mini version with grandma cheering them on. There was also the delight of walks along the river Tyne and the coast, to St Marys Lighthouse, and fish and chips at the Fish Quay. Occasionally June would be the rescuer, for example when Millie locked herself in the toilet at Ambleside and when the young Adrian, Laura and Victoria on a trip to the coast to watch their grandad run, locked her out of the car. On this occasion there was a tinge of panic and it was something of which she often reminded them.

As the grandchildren got older and could drive, they had great joy in taking June out, Amy and Emma, recall trips to Cleethorpes and Bridlington for fish and chips, ice cream and playing on the slot machines.

June also welcomed her children’s and grandchildren’s partners into the family. Andrew’s nickname for June was 'dragon', Amy’s 'partner Chris got into her good books by carrying and looking after her infamous handbag which was carried everywhere she went and was full of all manner of items, and Tony spent hours watching black and white films with her and occasionally having a tipple of baileys in the pub and playing dominoes. Visits to Mark and Karine’s family in Germany were always enjoyed, and gave her chance to bond with her grandchildren.

June loved an 'occasion' and over the years cooked many family meals, including Christmas dinners in their conservatory in Crowle. It was amazing how many June would cater for and amazingly fit everyone in there. Treats included home-made Christmas crackers and table presents. Her minestrone soup and date and walnut cakes were a regular treat. Many of June's Christmas traditions have continued in June's children's family homes. Although maybe not dyeing the cabbage green because it was too pale.

June was lively and enjoyed a joke. It recently came to light that she told one of her grandchildren semolina was made from bones! She did not take herself too seriously, having the ability to laugh at herself, for example her false teeth falling out on the dance floor, usually caused by her laughing.  She loved having all her family together, especially when Mark's family travelled over from Germany. When there was a hint of that happening, she would busy herself, for example organising a caravan for them to sleep in; Frank to buy beer; and ensuring there was a dram or two for the evenings, ice creams in the freezer, barbecues for the family, toys ready for the grandchildren and activities for them to join in.

June enjoyed and took pride in her garden, growing the roses her dad loved, growing plants from seeds, gifting those plants to family and friends. She also loved going for walks in the countryside and made sure she did this on regular basis for as long as she could. In recent years, she enjoyed being taken out for coffee and cake, and riding out to the old haunts, including walking along the Humber. She remained very nimble on her feet until recently.

June was a great support to her family, whether that was to her husband at running events or in later years, when he had dementia. She was always a willing help with her grandchildren. Susan describes when she undertook training away from home - June would stay for the week and look after her children. The grandchildren loved being taken care of by 'grandma'. Memories include school uniforms being whipped off as they entered the house, washed, pressed and hung up for the morning; shoes had to be cleaned; help with practising handwriting; sewing and learning to knit. Susan usually came home to a handmade gift from the children which had been aided by grandma. Although they also knew when they had crossed the line - full names being used on these occasions. Susan never did find out what misdemeanour Adrian was caught doing when he was chased up the stairs by grandma with a hairbrush, or if he was indeed caught.

June leaves a massive hole in her family's lives but they are grateful that their mum, grandma and great grandma was with them for so long. There is a tinge of sadness that the younger children had less precious time with her. There is no doubt of her love for the family, and her memory will live on in the tales that are relived in family get togethers that Susan, Sandra, Mark and Robert will continue to organise and those family traditions that are embedded in her family’s lives.

The family are comforted by the fact that June's ashes will soon be buried with those of her parents John and Amy and the love of her life, her husband Frank.