May 20,1922 - April 17, 2016
Margaret Christena “June” O’Connor died on Sunday, April 17, 2016 in Campbell River.
June was born in Vancouver, the only child of John Henry Merrick (Wales) and Violet Pearl Harwood (Royston). She spent the first 8 years of her life in Vancouver and then moved to Ocean Falls where she stayed until her high school graduation. June started secretarial training at Pitman School in Vancouver but had to quit due to decreasing vision. She worked for Spencers for a time and then in 1942, took a train to Toronto (the only woman aboard!), and stayed with a friend, and worked in a a chemical lab testing metals for airplanes for the war. In 1943, she and a girlfriend moved to New York City to work for the British Security Service under William Stephenson (A Man Called Intrepid). After VE day, she returned to Vancouver to care for her ailing father and met Gerry (Gerald) O’Connor, who she married in 1946. June was a working mother until her 60’s and in spite of being legally blind, she still managed to raise her family, support her husband’s work in Lion’s International, and volunteer for and run many charitable and political organizations. June took in over 60 people to live with her from 1 night to many years, and lived by the code of making the world a better place by helping others.
June was predeceased by her husband Gerry in 1987, and is survived by her son Laird (Glenda) O’Connor of West Vancouver, daughter Kerry (Michael) Hammell (Campbell River), grandsons Liam (Tanya) of Kelowna, and Teague (Campbell River) and great-grandchildren Lilly and Seamus Hammell (Kelowna).
The family deeply appreciates the care and attention that June received from the staff at the Sunshine Manor and the care and support from Dr. Logan.
No service at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted at John Howard Society North Island or Shriners of B.C.