Don't you cry no more...

[dizzojay]

So today was the day we said our farewells to jj1564.  I know many of you have watched it on the livestream, and for some of you that meant getting up or staying up until silly o'clock because of time differences, and I'm very grateful.  I know June would be too.

The recording of the funeral will be available for another seven days for anyone else who wants to see it. Instructions are here

Sam absolutely did his Mum proud, he looked so dapper, and had organised the day so that it went off smooth as silk.  Milly and I, together with another of June's Supernatural friends called Serena who's not overly active on social media, were very grateful to have had the chance to attend, and Sam made sure that his Mum's fandom life was relived throughout the ceremony; he has never once resented it or underestimated its importance to her.  The Celebrant's eulogy was peppered with Supernatural references and quotes!

Milly and I both gave readings which were difficult, but what we wanted to do.  We owed it to June, representing, as we were, her fandom side.  I think they were well received, and a lot of June's family at the ceremony, even ones we didn't know, thanked us.

Things finished up with Carry On my Wayward Son, and that was perfect.  That was the first question Sam had asked me - did I think that would be appropriate?  Needless to say I said 100% yes!

A couple of days before June passed away, Sam had brought her a fabulous Supernatural-themed wall hanging for her new room in the care home.  as it turned out, he never got to give it to her.  So today it was draped over the coffin.

At the end of the service he gave it to me.
I'll treasure it always.

Comments

[yeuxdebleu.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I love the wall hanging and that it was draped over June's coffin. And how very lovely of Sam to give it to you.

How many people were allowed at the funeral because of COVID-19 restrictions? Were all of June's sisters there? I'm sure you'd met Brenda, but had you met any of the others?

One thought that has occurred to me is how glad I am that Sam recently asked June for her engagement ring and she gave it to him. I'm sure he was very grateful. Was his girlfriend at the service?

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

No, his girlfriend wasn't at the service, but she sent some lovely flowers. It's nice that Sam has the engagement ring now; he'll always have a little part of his mum with him.

We had thirty people at the funeral, which was much better than back at the height of the lockdown when you could only have fifteen.

[yeuxdebleu.livejournal.com]

Thanks for getting back to me. ♥

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I wish we hadn't had to say farewell at all, but this was as good a send off as we could have wished for. I loved that her fannish side was acknowledged and put out there for all to see — her fan-life was always a celebration so this felt completely right for June. As I said elsewhere, I'm so glad you and Milly were there to represent us (and Serena, who I probably met as A14 but can't remember). You really did us proud and your tears were ours.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I agree, I wish more than anything we hadn't had to say goodbye, but everyone at the funeral appreciated everyone who took time out to watch it on livestream. I was so delighted that her fan life wasn't underestimated or overlooked.

I couldn't remember Serena either, although I did as soon as I saw her!

Thanks, I'm glad you approved of my reading — I was hoping that people wouldn't mind me speaking for them!

[septembers-coda.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's amazing. What a treasure. My heart goes out to dear Sam. <3 <3 I feel like you're the best possible recipient of his last gift to June.

You truly did a wonderful job, my dear. It was so good to hear the words of fandom and see your heart in all of this. It was more than worth getting up at 6:30 AM, for both me and BL. It was about the same time I get up if I physically go in to work, so all good. For East Coast US people it would have been 8:30 AM--less "O'dark-thirty" but more likely during work hours, so it's a balance I guess. :-) I wonder if we had any Aussie friends there and what time it was for them...

Regardless, I'm sure I speak for all when I say we're grateful to Sam and you for making it possible for us to "be there." Many hugs, and wishing you peace and closure and happy memories. <3

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you — that really means a lot.

As I said to Amberdreams, I know everyone at the funeral really appreciated everyone who took the time out to watch on the livestream. I know there were a couple of Australian ladies who wanted to watch — it must have been the middle of the night. Or maybe they watched the recording afterward.

x

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you stood in for all of us.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It was an honour x

[cuddyclothes.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Fandom life is emptier without June in it. Poor Sam.

Draping the wall hanging over June's coffin brought tears to my eyes, as did playing "Carry On My Wayward Son".

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

You're so right. Things will never be the same without June.

I'm with you, I completely lost it once the first bars of Carry on started up!

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

Thank you for keeping us all in the loop & also for letting those of us who missed it, how we can be there at June's send off in a previous post. Thank you too, for representing those of us who knwo her through SPN.

Her son, Sam, sounds really awesome! I can't imagine being able to put something like this together if I were in his place. June would most definitely be PROUD!!

What a lovely thing Sam did by giving you the wall hanging to remember June by.

Sorry if I sound rambly, I'm trying hard not to cry & my thoughts are all over the place & when I close my eyes, I see June & Dean traveling down the road in Baby, blasting "Carry on, my Wayward Son" & having a great time too!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I wanted as many people as possible to send June on her way.
Sam really is awesome. I've always admired how he's put up with June's fandom shenanigans. he's never ever moaned or criticised it. He's just rolled with it because he knew it made his mum happy.

I was so honoured to receive the wall hanging, I'll treasure it forever!

I know how you feel, my emotions and mind has been all over the place this last month, I feel like I've been a complete basketcase — that's a large part of why I'm so behind on catching up with my Lj posts!!

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

And we appreciate it.

Awe... Such a good kid! :D

Yeah!

*nods* I'm slowly getting my head in order as I'm really looking forward to summer vaycay! I've got family to visit & my puffin trip is back on this year!! YAY! for peeps getting vaccinated! And BIG thank you to those who came up with vaccine & tested it so we can get back to normal! :D

[tyrsibs.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It's wonderful to hear that her fannish life was acknowledged in so many beautiful ways, especially with you and Milly taking part in the service. Sending you all love from the Great Plains. <3

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It was a lovely service, and I was so delighted that her fan life wasn't underestimated or overlooked.
xx

[casey28.livejournal.com]

How lovely that the SPN wall hanging was draped over her coffin. It’s wonderful that you have it now, to treasure always. I was very moved by hearing you and Milly, it made me teary. *hugs*

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was determined that her family should know how much she was loved and respected by fandom.
x

[supernutjapan.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful post. Thank you!💓

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. Thank YOU for being a good friend to June. her fandom life and fandom friends were so important to her. x

[fireheart13.livejournal.com]

It was a really lovely service. I was so impressed that her fandom life was so well integrated into it. I loved seeing you and Milly, and I cried along with you (well, I watched the recorded one, but when you read, I cried). Many hugs to you!!!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm sorry if I made you cry, but I was determined that June's family should know how much June was loved and respected by her fandom friends. I was so delighted that her fan life wasn't underestimated or overlooked, because it was so important to her.

[fanspired]

It's so good of Sam to organize all this, and it's wonderful that JJ's fandom life was so well represented. Good on you and Milly for your contribution. It's such a shame that Sam wasn't able to to give her the wall hanging, but it was a lovely thought to drape the coffin with it, and it's gone to the best of homes now :)

Thank you so much for sharing this. ((♥))

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you xx
Sam did a great job, and I'm so glad that June's fandom life was represented well because it was important to her.

[sasha-dragon.livejournal.com]

It was a lovely service and you and Milly did us proud.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you xx
I was determined that June's family should know how deeply June was loved and respected within fandom!