Obituary of Marilyn Aldytha June Naves

June’s death occurred peacefully on March 4th, 2008 at her home, the St. John and St. Stephen Church Home in Millidgeville, NB, in her 83rd year. She was the treasured daughter of the late Herbert and Aldytha (Delong) Naves of Saint John, NB. Thank you to the many staff members who work so hard to enhance the lives of the people in their care. We have seen the hugs, the kind words and the shared laughter. “Your price is beyond rubies and blessed are your charges to have such caring people in their lives.” June was a life long member of the St. John and St. Stephen Presbyterian Church and according to her mother she spent more time at the church than she did at home. In 1949 she was awarded a life membership in the Ladies Missionary Society, the youngest person to achieve that distinction. She was also a leader of the church’s CGIT group; “her girls” were a valued part of her life. After her retirement she helped the boys and girls in the After School Program. June, a graduate of Saint John High School, took a business course which proved to be a wise decision; in November of 1945 she began a Steno-1 job with the Federal Government and her salary was the princely sum of $720.00 annually; thus began her career with EI. Through hard work and perseverance she worked her way up the ladder to become a PM3. Her contribution to the development of the Public Liaison Officer position in New Brunswick cannot be understated as it was her work with the employers in the Saint John area that hi-lighted the need to create the position. She was the first PLO and now there are many. At the time of her retirement on September 3rd, 1988 she was the longest serving employee of the EI program in Canada … 43 years. Roly MacIntyre brought her out of retirement in 1995 to oversee the running of his campaign headquarters. Besides a successful career June found the time to be active in the Business and Professional Women’s Club and was a past president of the local club, as-well-as the Provincial Chapter. She and Lucille Gates toured North America and participated in many conferences from British Columbia to Washington, DC. June loved to travel Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and Ireland again, “One can never have too much of Ireland”. June had many stories to tell; her favorites included those about her chosen families, Corrie and Atze Douma, and Lucille and Leonard Gates. She became the Fairy Queen Mother to the second generation of Douma children and a beloved courtesy aunt to the Gates extended family. June touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Barbara, Margaret and Marten Douma and his daughter, Alyson Douma, Trevor Cook, John Deschenes, “my nephew” Peter Gates, my heart’s daughter Linda Gates, Roly MacIntyre, Ken Anthony, Jack Nielson, John and Shelly Craft; these are a few of those who were dear to her heart. “The adventure continues” … surely Robin, Cicero, Girly Early Mittens and Marcus must be celebrating their reunion. Resting at Brenan’s Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506) 634-7424 with visiting on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Service will be held from Brenan’s Chapel on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 1 pm. Interment will be in Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the Animal Rescue League or the Atlantic Mission Society of St. John and St. Stephen Church.