GDHS Hall of Fame member June Evans Durrant,
Durrant, nee Frank, was born in Acton in 1914. She was a talented musician throughout her life, making her first appearance at age 8. She attended Georgetown High School, between 1923 and 1927, playing the piano at lunch. In the 1930s she was a pianist for silent movies at Gregory Theatre and organist for Georgetown Community Choral Society.
In 1932 Durrant planned, organized and financed the first GDHS graduation dance.
Between 1931-1933, she was a pianist for Frank’s Orchestra, broadcasted weekly over CKOC Radio, Hamilton.
From 1931 to 1937 she taught at SS #7 Nassagaweya Elementary School where she introduced the subject of music to school. In 1936 the school choir won a silver cup at Halton County Music Festival.
After graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, McMaster University (music), Durrant continued successful teaching career at Chapel Street Public School.
During the seventies she was the organist for the for Georgetown Choral Society and was piano and organ accompanist for many local soloists, choirs, and other groups.
Durrant, nee Frank, was born in Acton in 1914. She was a talented musician throughout her life, making her first appearance at age 8. She attended Georgetown High School, between 1923 and 1927, playing the piano at lunch. In the 1930s she was a pianist for silent movies at Gregory Theatre and organist for Georgetown Community Choral Society.
In 1932 Durrant planned, organized and financed the first GDHS graduation dance.
Between 1931-1933, she was a pianist for Frank’s Orchestra, broadcasted weekly over CKOC Radio, Hamilton.
From 1931 to 1937 she taught at SS #7 Nassagaweya Elementary School where she introduced the subject of music to school. In 1936 the school choir won a silver cup at Halton County Music Festival.
After graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, McMaster University (music), Durrant continued successful teaching career at Chapel Street Public School.
During the seventies she was the organist for the for Georgetown Choral Society and was piano and organ accompanist for many local soloists, choirs, and other groups.
- * Taken from her obituary in 2015 * From her home overlooking Halton Hills, until the age of 94 she drove her own car, travelled around the continent, and efficiently managed her own affairs as well as a social calendar that would have exhausted a woman half her age. It wasn't until 2008 that her world began to slowly narrow. On February 12, 2015, just four months shy of her 101st birthday, she slipped quietly away. The youngest by many years of the four children born to William and Mary Frank of Acton, June was a precocious child. She was spoiled by her siblings Elma, Pearl and Andy, and was taught to read and write by her doting father, who decided she did not need a formal education until she was seven. Later, she would attend Hamilton Normal School and then McMaster University in preparation for her career as a teacher. To say that music was a large part of Frank family life is a gross understatement, and June juggled her schoolwork and social life with a regular gig as the pianist—and the sole female performer—in a band called the Sod Busters. Weekly, the Sod Busters were broadcast over CKOC from The Royal Connaught Hotel in Hamilton. Equally adept at tickling the ivories of a pipe organ, June also regularly played for church services, weddings, even for movies at the local theatre. At the age of 17, June began her teaching career at SS #7 in Nassagaweya. One of her first pupils was her much-loved nephew Kenneth Bullard whose education, she would joke, suffered as a result of the experience. She spent the remainder of her teaching career at Chapel Street School in Georgetown. There, she trained choirs that became regular prizewinners at the Halton County Music Festival, and encouraged young thespians to visions of greatness in school operettas. In 1941, June married James Forbes Evans, a kindred spirit she'd known and adored for much of her life. After their wedding, she courageously journeyed alone from Georgetown to meet him to Nassau, Bahamas, where he was stationed for two years during the Second World War. Always an astute businesswoman, she saved Jim's war pay so they could purchase their first home, 2 Guelph Street in Georgetown, when the war was over. Here their two daughters, Mary and Barbara, were raised. Like the Evans family cottage in Ontario, Guelph Street was a place of perpetual fun and laughter for the many relatives and friends who came through the door. Widowed at the age of 60, June reconnected with a friend, Frank Durrant of London, England, and in 1978 they married. He introduced her to extensive world travel, and she introduced him to curling and bridge, which, along with golf, filled their happy days together. To those close to her, June was as well known for her love of furs, leather pants and statement jewellery as her penchant for tearooms, ginger ale and sweets. Her community and friendships were of the utmost importance, and she attended to both with dedication. She loathed complainers, loved an intelligent debate, and could be counted upon to impart sound, pithy wisdom on most any matter of life—though would only do so when directly consulted. The very definition of a matriarch, she faced each clang in the march of time with curiosity and grace, and was a constant presence in the lives of her family.
- Mrs Evans was my Gr 7 teacher at Chapel St School
- Mrs. Evans taught my Dad and his siblings at SS#7 and later she taught myself and my 2 brothers at Chapel St, She was a big part of the Service family education.
- I didn't know her but certainly knew of her. I believe she taught my dad at Georgetown Public School.
- Mrs. Evans was my grade 6 teacher at Chapel St. School. She played the organ at St. John's United church for my wedding
- Lovely person! I remember her well!
- Mrs.Evans was my grade 7 teacher at Chapel Street School. She always knew who I was years later. Lovely lady.
- My grade 6 teacher. Liked her very much. I remember her & Ken Harrison coaching our school choir. 🎶
- My Grade 7 teacher as well ... so positive and encouraging.
- My favourite teacher. Grade 6. We had our classroom in the old Fire Hall because of overcrowding. Park School opened the next year. We had a lot of music in her class which I loved. As an adult she always showed an interest in how my life was going whenever we met around Town.
- My grade 7 teacher at Chapel was also a music teacher
- Grade 6 teacher in the basement of the Old Fire Hall. A good friend as we would talk & laugh before Church service on many Sunday mornings. One daughter sang at our wedding and we will have dinner with the other tonight in HHI. Miss our talks and jesting.
- I really enjoyed having her as my grade six teacher and a close neighbour as well during my Chapel St. School years.
-She was my grade 6 teacher at Chapel Street. Had visits with her when she was at Mountainview and she remembered me right from the start.
- A Great Lady & A Great Teacher
- I also had Mrs Evens in public school, great teacher. Saw her a few times around town and she always remembered me.
- Such an example of how life is best lived. We will raise a toast to her tonight at dinner with Mary, her husband and a bevy of "Old Georgetowners".
- June Evans Durrant played a very large part in my life. She was not only my grade 6 teacher but she was also a second Mom to me. When she and Jim bought the house at the corner of Guelph St. and Main St. they became next door neighbours of my grandparents, Marie and Arthur Herbert and my mother Valerie Herbert. When my parents were married my grandparents converted their house into a downstairs and upstairs apartments and my Mom and Dad lived in the upstairs and that was where I was born. I grew up with Mary and Barbara and spent a great deal of time at their home. My parents later moved into 6 Guelph Street and they remained neighbours for many years. I was included in their family life and one of my favourite things was when they would take the girls and I to square dances. Another thing that made their house so special was that "Grandma Frank" June's mother, lived with them. If you knew her Mom you definitely knew why June was the person she was. The last time that I saw her was at my second father's funeral, Enrico Caruso, in 2012 and she was still as vibrant and lively as she had always been. I hope that Mary and Barbara read all of these wonderful comments and memories of their Mom. I was so lucky to have her and the family in my life as everyone who came in contact with her was.💕💕💕
- I had her for grade 7 & the class was upstairs & we always exited her room by the fire escape steps .
- Remember she was my grade 7 teacher as well
- I taught with June at Chapel Street, and always looked up to her......loved our visits at school. She always dressed so smartly, and up to date! What a talented lady she was, and so willing to share her talents.
After she retired, she, June Lenz and I would go out for lunch. She was sooo interested in our family’s activities. She was definitely “one of a kind”!!
-I had her in grade 7 in 1965
- my grade 7 teacher at Chapel Street School
- Loved her.
- Excellent teacher
- My grade six teacher at Chapel Street. Helped me with a tragic family death. Still remember the kind words she said to me. My husband helped her with grass cutting and yard work when she lived in Stewarttown .He said she could be in work clothes with rubber boots, and before he left she would walk out the door looking very sharp waving goodbye as she drove away while he finished the lawn. She lived at Mountainview when my Mom and Dad were there. Such a kind lady.
- Very very sweet lady !
- I met June in 1997. What a lovely intelligent lady. Always a smile on her face.
- Grade 7 I think for me.
- Me too
-The comments about Mom are lovely to hear. She really was a special lady and is well remembered by her grandkids and great grand kids.
- Mrs Evans was my Gr 7 teacher at Chapel St School
- Mrs. Evans taught my Dad and his siblings at SS#7 and later she taught myself and my 2 brothers at Chapel St, She was a big part of the Service family education.
- I didn't know her but certainly knew of her. I believe she taught my dad at Georgetown Public School.
- Mrs. Evans was my grade 6 teacher at Chapel St. School. She played the organ at St. John's United church for my wedding
- Lovely person! I remember her well!
- Mrs.Evans was my grade 7 teacher at Chapel Street School. She always knew who I was years later. Lovely lady.
- My grade 6 teacher. Liked her very much. I remember her & Ken Harrison coaching our school choir. 🎶
- My Grade 7 teacher as well ... so positive and encouraging.
- My favourite teacher. Grade 6. We had our classroom in the old Fire Hall because of overcrowding. Park School opened the next year. We had a lot of music in her class which I loved. As an adult she always showed an interest in how my life was going whenever we met around Town.
- My grade 7 teacher at Chapel was also a music teacher
- Grade 6 teacher in the basement of the Old Fire Hall. A good friend as we would talk & laugh before Church service on many Sunday mornings. One daughter sang at our wedding and we will have dinner with the other tonight in HHI. Miss our talks and jesting.
- I really enjoyed having her as my grade six teacher and a close neighbour as well during my Chapel St. School years.
-She was my grade 6 teacher at Chapel Street. Had visits with her when she was at Mountainview and she remembered me right from the start.
- A Great Lady & A Great Teacher
- I also had Mrs Evens in public school, great teacher. Saw her a few times around town and she always remembered me.
- Such an example of how life is best lived. We will raise a toast to her tonight at dinner with Mary, her husband and a bevy of "Old Georgetowners".
- June Evans Durrant played a very large part in my life. She was not only my grade 6 teacher but she was also a second Mom to me. When she and Jim bought the house at the corner of Guelph St. and Main St. they became next door neighbours of my grandparents, Marie and Arthur Herbert and my mother Valerie Herbert. When my parents were married my grandparents converted their house into a downstairs and upstairs apartments and my Mom and Dad lived in the upstairs and that was where I was born. I grew up with Mary and Barbara and spent a great deal of time at their home. My parents later moved into 6 Guelph Street and they remained neighbours for many years. I was included in their family life and one of my favourite things was when they would take the girls and I to square dances. Another thing that made their house so special was that "Grandma Frank" June's mother, lived with them. If you knew her Mom you definitely knew why June was the person she was. The last time that I saw her was at my second father's funeral, Enrico Caruso, in 2012 and she was still as vibrant and lively as she had always been. I hope that Mary and Barbara read all of these wonderful comments and memories of their Mom. I was so lucky to have her and the family in my life as everyone who came in contact with her was.💕💕💕
- I had her for grade 7 & the class was upstairs & we always exited her room by the fire escape steps .
- Remember she was my grade 7 teacher as well
- I taught with June at Chapel Street, and always looked up to her......loved our visits at school. She always dressed so smartly, and up to date! What a talented lady she was, and so willing to share her talents.
After she retired, she, June Lenz and I would go out for lunch. She was sooo interested in our family’s activities. She was definitely “one of a kind”!!
-I had her in grade 7 in 1965
- my grade 7 teacher at Chapel Street School
- Loved her.
- Excellent teacher
- My grade six teacher at Chapel Street. Helped me with a tragic family death. Still remember the kind words she said to me. My husband helped her with grass cutting and yard work when she lived in Stewarttown .He said she could be in work clothes with rubber boots, and before he left she would walk out the door looking very sharp waving goodbye as she drove away while he finished the lawn. She lived at Mountainview when my Mom and Dad were there. Such a kind lady.
- Very very sweet lady !
- I met June in 1997. What a lovely intelligent lady. Always a smile on her face.
- Grade 7 I think for me.
- Me too
-The comments about Mom are lovely to hear. She really was a special lady and is well remembered by her grandkids and great grand kids.