President Lynne Tuckley led members of Soroptimist International Cannock & District in a minute’s silence as they remembered with affection long serving member June Hardman who died very suddenly in the latter part of 2015. This was the first time the Club had met since June’s death. June was 81 years of age, she was an active person, walking from her home near to Shoal Hill into Cannock own Centre many times each week. She sadly died whilst on her way to St Luke’s Church for a Wednesday communion.
June had been an active member of the Club for over 37 years, following in the footsteps of her mother, Vi Bowen, a Soroptimist for 42 years. June’s daughter Debbie followed in the family tradition: between them these 3 women had worked to enable, educate and empower women through Soroptimism for 107 years.
Members remember with pleasure the many hours spent at June’s home or in her wonderful garden, raising funds for many worthwhile causes to support women locally and internationally: June was always the first to offer to host an event and her cakes were legendary! In keeping with all that June believed in, donations made in lieu of flowers were for the SI Diamond Education Grant. Its purpose is to provide grants to assist women to update their skills after employment breaks or to acquire new skills to improve their opportunities for employment and promotion.
Within a very few weeks the Club has lost two of its stalwart members: Dora Leighton and June Hardman. They will both be sorely missed.
Photo attached: June Hardman