Long Time Social Activist and March of Dimes Volunteer, June Callwood Passes
April 17th, 2007

June Callwood is remembered by many at March of Dimes as a source of inspiration and commitment to achieving one's goals.

June Callwood, the remarkable Canadian journalist, humanitarian and social activist, died early on Saturday, April 14th, 2007 after a long fight with cancer. She was 82.

She was first diagnosed with inoperable cancer in 2004, but refused treatment and continued to be active, most recently on the campaign to end child poverty, until she was forced to slow down in the last few months of her life.

Callwood blazed trails for women's rights, gay rights and the rights of the underprivileged in a history of activism dating back to the 1960s.

A long time volunteer with March of Dimes, she will be sadly missed for her many years of dedication and service to the cause of people with disabilities.  June’s passion for justice and equality was often expressed during speaking engagements as she appeared on behalf of March of Dimes all across Ontario in 2000-01 as our Honorary Campaign Chair, or Chief Marching Mother.  She offered her thanks and appreciation to our many canvassers, traditional Marching Mothers, donors, staff and service volunteers at many local community events, while celebrating our agency’s 50th anniversary.  June also launched our 2000-01 Door-to-Door Campaign at centre ice in Maple Leaf Gardens, dropping the puck for the Toronto Maple Leafs-Philadelphia Flyers game.

June knew the value of raising the profile of vulnerable seniors, people aging with a disability and those aging into disability, which is why she lent her profile, influence and goodwill to the concept of an international festival of conferences to be co-hosted by March of Dimes and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.  Knowing that her disease might end her life before the Festival opened, June generously gave her time for a recording that will be used for the opening reception.  The Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology 2007 will celebrate June's life and efforts along with the contributions of people who are disabled, seniors, family and informal caregivers.

A prominent activist for people with AIDS, June founded the hospice Casey House in Toronto in 1988 and named it after her son, Casey Frayne, who was killed in 1982 in a motorcycle accident.

She was involved in the founding of Digger House, a youth hostel, Nellie's hostel for women, PEN Canada, the Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation, and Feminists Against Censorship.

Casey House and Jessie's Centre for Teenagers are holding a candle lit vigil for June was held the evening of April 17th, 2007.  The procession went from Jessie's Centre and ended at Casey House.