Obituary of Violet "June" Braden

We are saddened to announce the passing of Violet June Braden (June) on Saturday 15 April 2023 at the Stuart Nechako Manor in Vanderhoof, BC at the age of 91 years.  June resided at the manor since 2020, prior to that she lived in Quesnel BC for 47 years and Dawson Creek for 22 years.

June was born at a Red Cross outpost in Grandhaven, BC (close to Fort St. John) on 01 June 1931 to Owen and Eva Chambers.  She was raised in Fort St. John and lived on the family farm in the Fish Creek area.  Many stories were later told of life on the farm; brothers who were a constant menace and going to school by horseback which sometimes did not go as planned.  June waitressed at the Condill and then worked at the Co-op Grocery Store.

While at a dance in Dawson Creek in 1949, June met Des Braden, who resided in Rolla area.  June and Des were married in Fort St. John in 1951 and settled in Dawson Creek where they had two daughters, Kathie born in 1954 and Carol in 1955. They built a new home in the Crescent Park area and lived there until 1973.  June curled, was a member of the Royal Purple and was an excellent seamstress.  June and Des bought property at Mile 8 on Alaska Highway Dawson Creek, and they spent many summers enjoying the acreage life and making improvements. Des had his horse nearby and eventually a couple more were added.  After Kathie and Carol were in school June managed the Sweet 16 store in Dawson Creek for many years and later transferred when they moved to Quesnel in 1974.

Sometime after their move to Quesnel June decided to obtain her GED, she was successful in obtaining a grade 12 diploma.  We remember reminiscing about the graduation ceremony where a joint was passed around the room; we never heard if she partook or not but rest assured, she surely would have been caught off guard!

After retirement June and Des enjoyed many camping and fishing trips with family and friends.  They eventually downsized, sold their home and bought a condo in Quesnel and it wasn't long before they again decided to purchase out of town property for recreational use.  They spent many hours at their lakeside property with family and friends on Puntchesakut Lake west of Quesnel; fishing, water skiing, campfires, making improvements, the odd water fight with the neighbours all in fun of course and sledding in the winter. June was proud of her JAG snowmobile and enjoyed getting out with friends on the trails around the lake.  She was not impressed when Des accidentally sunk it in the Lake!

June had a reputation for being a clean freak and kept an immaculate house and yard; she was always busy.

After Des passed in 2014, June lived on her own for several years but after a fall resulting in a hip fracture and the early stages of dementia, she was no longer safe on her own and came to live with Kathie in Vanderhoof in 2019.  As the dementia progressed June was able to get into long term care in Vanderhoof in 2020. 

June’s health situation was exacerbated by another fall at Easter of this year, from which she never recovered.  We take comfort in knowing that she will be back in the arms of her husband, Des.

June was predeceased by her husband Des; parents Owen and Eva Chambers; her brothers Rayton Salmond, Fred Chambers, Deb Chambers; her sister Dorothy Babcock, many brothers and sisters in law; nephews; as well as numerous extended family and friends.

June leaves to mourn her daughters Kathie (Bill) LaForge, Carol (Allan) LaForge; stepdaughter Judy (Jim) Renfrew; grandchildren James (Leanne) Renfrew, Janelle Renfrew, Brett (Kelsey) LaForge, Tyler LaForge (Natasha) Mellroy, Meagan (Todd) Pickett, and Lindsay (Andrew) Craig; great grandchildren Jennifer, Julianna, Jimmy Renfrew, Tanner, Ryse LaForge, Sayaria Mellroy, Cooper, Ryder Pickett, Carter, Millie Craig; and many nieces and nephews.

June will join Des at the Rolla Cemetery. No service will be held at this time, however, the family will announce a Celebration of Life at a later date.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium