Lauretta Durrant

Durrant (Evans), Lauretta June - For the great majority of her life, June's exultation of spirit appeared infinite. From her home overlooking Halton Hills, until the age of 94 she drove her own car, travelled around the continent, and efficiently managed her own affairs as well as a social calendar that would have exhausted a woman half her age. It wasn't until 2008 that her world began to slowly narrow. On February 12, 2015, just four months shy of her 101st birthday, she slipped quietly away. The youngest by many years of the four children born to William and Mary Frank of Acton, June was a precocious child. She was spoiled by her siblings Elma, Pearl and Andy, and was taught to read and write by her doting father, who decided she did not need a formal education until she was seven. Later, she would attend Hamilton Normal School and then McMaster University in preparation for her career as a teacher. To say that music was a large part of Frank family life is a gross understatement, and June juggled her schoolwork and social life with a regular gig as the pianist-and the sole female performer-in a band called the Sod Busters. Weekly, the Sod Busters were broadcast over CKOC from The Royal Connaught Hotel in Hamilton. Equally adept at tickling the ivories of a pipe organ, June also regularly played for church services, weddings, even for movies at the local theatre. At the age of 17, June began her teaching career at SS #7 in Nassagaweya. One of her first pupils was her much-loved nephew Kenneth Bullard whose education, she would joke, suffered as a result of the experience. She spent the remainder of her teaching career at Chapel Street School in Georgetown. There, she trained choirs that became regular prizewinners at the Halton County Music Festival, and encouraged young thespians to visions of greatness in school operettas. In 1941, June married James Forbes Evans, a kindred spirit she'd known and adored for much of her life. After their wedding, she courageously journeyed alone from Georgetown to meet him to Nassau, Bahamas, where he was stationed for two years during the Second World War. Always an astute businesswoman, she saved Jim's war pay so they could purchase their first home, 2 Guelph Street in Georgetown, when the war was over. Here their two daughters, Mary and Barbara, were raised. Like the Evans family cottage in Ontario, Guelph Street was a place of perpetual fun and laughter for the many relatives and friends who came through the door. Widowed at the age of 60, June reconnected with a friend, Frank Durrant of London, England, and in 1978 they married. He introduced her to extensive world travel, and she introduced him to curling and bridge, which, along with golf, filled their happy days together. To those close to her, June was as well known for her love of furs, leather pants and statement jewellery as her penchant for tearooms, ginger ale and sweets. Her community and friendships were of the utmost importance, and she attended to both with dedication. She loathed complainers, loved an intelligent debate, and could be counted upon to impart sound, pithy wisdom on most any matter of life-though would only do so when directly consulted. The very definition of a matriarch, she faced each clang in the march of time with curiosity and grace, and was a constant presence in the lives of her family. Her life leaves an indelible imprint on those who knew her, loved her, and will miss her forever. Predeceased by husbands James Forbes Evans, Frank E. H. Durrant; grandson James Andrew Brown. Survived by daughters Mary (Donald) MacLennan of Owen Sound, Ont. and Barbara (James) English of Lions Bay, BC; grandchildren John Brown, Katherine MacLennan, Jennifer MacLennan; great-grandchildren Nicolas MacLennan Kovatchev, Gwyneth MacLennan Kovatchev. Extended family Peter (Wendy) Durrant of Halton Hills Ont. and Anne (Larry) Griffiths of Sarratt UK; Clare Lawless, Lorena Niemi, Jake Griffiths, Aidan Griffiths, Hannah Griffiths, Taylor Lawless, Jackson Lawless, Ronan Niemi, Aleksi Niemi, Nikko Niemi, Ted Griffiths, Brooke Griffiths. A private family graveside service will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Georgetown. A memorial service for June will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John's United Church, 11 Guelph Street, Georgetown. In memory contributions to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. To sends expressions of sympathy, visit www.jsjonesandsonfuneralhome.com