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To celebrate the life and service of Ms. June Alleyne Bertley and to extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends on the occasion of her passing, Tuesday, July 21, 2020.
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WHEREAS, the members of Columbus City Council extend this resolution of expression to honor the life and service of Ms. June Alleyne Bertley who passed away in St Catharines, Ontario Canada at the age of 91 on Tuesday, July 21, 2020; and
WHEREAS, June Alleyne Bertley, of Montreal, Quebec was born in Barbados, West Indies on June 29, 1929 and moved to Montreal to pursue university studies - it was here that she met her life-long love and partner, Dr. Leo W. Bertley; and
WHEREAS, June and Leo were wedded on April 3, 1958 at Saint Patrick’s Church in Montreal - the couple had the honor of celebrating 48 years of marriage until Leo’s death in 2006; and
WHEREAS, June earned four university degrees, graduating Cum Laude with Honors - she received degrees in Arts, Business and Education, from McGill University, the University of Montreal and Sir George Williams University located in (Concordia), -she also received a Class “A” Teaching Diploma from the Department of Education, Quebec, Canada; and
WHEREAS, June was a premiere educator and an accomplished entrepreneur in the Canadian Community - with her McGill University Master’s thesis entitled “The Role of the Black Community in the Education of Blacks in Montreal from 1910-1940” she became a pillar of the education landscape - she founded The Garvey Institute in 1984 and served as its Executive Director for over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, June also served as President of the Color Woman’s Club of Montreal - which is one of the oldest woman’s organizations in Canada (founded in 1902), the Color Woman’s Club was an institution dedicated to uplifting citizens from poverty and ensuring the amelioration of both women and the Black community - In 1977, June and Leo were selected by the Canadian government to represent Canada in FESTAC, the international festival celebrating world arts and culture, which was held in Lagos, Nigeria; and
WHEREAS, June won numerous awards throughout her distinguished career - among them included an award for the Business Person of the Year in Montreal in 2002 - in addition to having a busy career and a committed community service presence, June was dedicated to her family and loving each of her four children: Deborah, John, Albert and Frederic - she also adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren - June also enjoyed being a dedicated Catholic and her hobbies included painting, reading, gardening, and traveling, especially to her native country, of Barbados; and
WHEREAS, June leaves a host of friends, family, and loved ones to cherish her memory: Predeceased by her parents Albert Alleyne Miller and Millicent Horatio Miller (nee Hall), her brothers Harold, John and Victor Miller, her daughter Deborah Madeline Horatio Bertley-Garner (1989) and her husband Dr. Leo Bertley (2006) She is survived by her sisters Ruth Jordan and Stella Odle; her three sons and daughters-in-law, John (Karen), Albert, and Frederic (Heather); grandchildren Jamaal, Keshia, Jessica, Matthew, Stephanie, Justin, Keyshon, Davia and Abbilongo; and ten great grandchildren, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby celebrate the life and service of Ms. June Alleyne Bertley and extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends on the occasion of her passing, Tuesday, July 21, 2020.