Greta "June" Robinson

With family by her side, Greta “June” Robinson, beloved wife of Jim Robinson of Bethany, MB passed away at the Minnedosa Personal Care Home on March 15, 2022 after a lengthy illness with Parkinson’s.

June is survived by her devoted husband of over 57 years, Jim, sons Patrick of Bethany, Danny (Karen) of Toronto, Cory (Hannah) of Castle Rock, CO and Kelsey of Bethany;  grandsons Parker, Joey, Sawyer and Colt and many nieces and nephews;  siblings Ross of Neepawa, Joanne of Morden, Bonnie (Reg) of Steinbach, Ken (Sharon) of Alexander and sisters-in-law Mary (Maurice) and Sylvia of Minnedosa.  She was predeceased by her parents Walter & Jean Howard, and in-laws Robert & Annie Robinson, Vivianne, Harvey, Marg, Will, Rob, Pearl, Ethel, Phoebe and Allen.

June was born in Ste. Rose on April 13, 1940, the eldest daughter of Walter and Jean Howard.  June took her elementary schooling in the rural one-room school of Dumfries, southeast of Neepawa, and high school in Neepawa and Arden.  She graduated from the Manitoba Teachers College in Winnipeg in 1959 and began her career teaching eight grades at a one-room school south of Minnedosa, Havelok School.  She taught in Newdale, Kelwood and became principal at Basswood before she went on to teach Special Education in Minnedosa.  While at Newdale, June met Jim and they were married on July 4, 1964 in the Neepawa United Church.  They lived in Minnedosa until 1970 when they bought the Tom Madill house in Bethany.  With a growing family and a change of career for Jim, they moved to an acreage on the east side of Bethany in 1980. 

Jim and June celebrated their 50th anniversary in the Bethany Hall in 2014 surrounded by friends and family.  They arrived at the hall in a horse drawn wagon driven by son, Cory. 

June was very community oriented and became a member of St. John’s Anglican Church serving as a Lay Reader, member of Vestry and People’s Warden.  She was also a member of the Bethany Social Group, St. John’s ACW, Minnedosa Peacemakers and a Director and Treasurer of the Bethany Community Centre.  So many turkeys and hams were cooked for events at the Hall.  Threshing was a beloved event associated with the Robinson family and much cooking and hosting took place, providing much fun for those in attendance.  But, family first, she spent many hours driving each of the boys to and from hockey games and practices. 

In her earlier years June loved riding her horse Nell, including many special trail rides around Clear Lake and from Lake Manitoba to St. Rose.  She also had many hobbies including knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sewing, quilting and she was a voracious reader.  She grew a large garden for the family, which prompted the need for freezing and processing lots of produce.  Picking berries and making jams and jellies also kept her busy.  June enjoyed travelling to various parts of Canada and USA, particularly Colorado where she spent quality time visiting family and her grandchildren.

Macular degeneration gradually stole much of June’s eyesight and she was no longer able to enjoy her many hobbies.  However, she was able to enjoy listening to Toronto Blue Jays baseball and Winnipeg Jets hockey games, in addition to audiobooks and music.  She especially enjoyed the Anne of Green Gables books, which she read and listened to repeatedly to her enjoyment.

After the onset of Parkinson’s and its progression, June moved into the Minnedosa Personal Care Home in December 2017.  Jim was a daily visitor and if you were lucky, you might have been there on a day he was playing his guitar and entertaining.  Covid-19 Pandemic hit and visitors weren’t allowed, but with the help of today’s technology she had regular phone and video calls with Jim, family and friends to help ease the burden of isolation. 

The family wishes to sincerely thank her dear friends Lynne Betteridge, Wendy Spraggs and Janice Burnside who sat many hours over the years, and in her final hours visiting and often reading to June. The family also sincerely thanks the many caring staff of The Minnedosa Personal Care Home for the exceptional care she received over the past years.  Words cannot express our wholehearted appreciation and gratitude for your friendship, love and care.

Funeral Service to be held at Bethany St. Johns Anglican Church on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Bethany St. Johns Anglican Church, Bethany Community Centre, Minnedosa Personal Care Home, CNIB Foundation or Parkinson Canada would be appreciated.