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BORN
1933
DIED
2023
Mary June PETTYFER Obituary
Born in England in 1933, she and her parents moved to Hawaii and then to the Philippines where her father, Gerald Wilkinson, would run a subsidiary of her family's trading firm, Theo. H. Davies & Co. Ltd.
After the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941, she was interned at age 8 with her brother and mother at the Santo Tomas Japanese Internment Camp for three years. It was a time of immense hunger and deprivation. She was so hungry that by the end of the War, she could only walk up the stairs, one step at a time. She came close to death at least once when in the fighting, a sniper shot at her, with her remembering the bullet going narrowly overhead as she dove to the ground. She and approx. four thousand other internees were liberated by Gen. MacArthur's troops in 1945.
Her internment influenced many of her beliefs: her support for world federalism and the need for greater understanding between countries; international law, specifically the International Criminal Court; and the need for sharing with the less fortunate. It underscored the importance of love and helping others and deepened her sense of appreciation. But it was only one influence amongst many in a very rich, diversified life.
After liberation, Mary June and her family reunited with her father who had joined the British army as the liaison officer between British forces and General Douglas MacArthur. After a short period recuperating in New York, she returned to England to start school at Downe House, while her parents returned to the Far East to rebuild businesses destroyed by war.
In her twenties, Mary June trained as an opera singer, studied French at the Sorbonne University and was a secretary in London.
In 1962 she married Philip Pettyfer, an officer with the British Army Air Corps. In 1970, they emigrated to Victoria, Canada, with their three sons. Canada represented a wholesome change that she believed had a more open-minded culture in which to raise a family.
She was a truly loving mother, devoted to raising her children through cooking to music to school and so much more on the small farm where they lived on the outskirts of Victoria.
As her children grew-up, she expanded her sense of motherhood to her community and world. By the mid-seventies, she was concerned with the great inequities, including those in the developing world. As the Cold War heated up, she became an active peace advocate. She was an early environmentalist, foreseeing the inevitable problems, which would emerge. Her interests dovetailed into her contribution to the World Federalist Movement, which believes that while global problems are best solved globally, institutions of global decision-making (i.e. the United Nations) need to be improved. She ran and grew the Victoria chapter of the World Federalists for many years and was a member of the governing council of the national section of the organization. Her work for peace was a sensible approach from someone who knew that war must never be an option.
Our mother exemplified empathy, generosity, modesty and selflessness -- she was far more interested in the greater good than herself. What tied her qualities together was her great faith in God. It was beautiful to watch our mother's faith when she prayed, including when we prayed with her in the last period of life.
Her three children were together with her when she died. We sang the hymns that she sang with us as boys and enveloped her with our love.
Mary June is survived by her sons, Stephen, Adrian and Robin and three grandchildren. We will miss her greatly but are comforted that she will be reunited with her loved ones who have gone before her.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 20th at 1pm at Saint John the Divine Anglican Church, 1611 Quadra St., in Victoria.
Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the World Federalist Movement -- Canada: https://wfmcanada.org/pages/donate or to Saint John the Divine Anglican Church.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary June PETTYFER
11 Entries
John (Jake) Humphries
August 19, 2023
I offer my sincere condolences to Stephen, Adrian, and Robin. Mary June was a fascinating person and a very strong supporter of the school I taught at (Glenlyon). Our friendship carried on for many years after the boys left the school.
Anna Carteret
August 8, 2023
Mary June was such a special person . She was always interested in us and had a wonderful sense of humour. We will miss her very much. Anna X
Jason
August 7, 2023
Mrs Pettyfer as I knew her, being a good friend of Robin´s, was always very friendly and welcoming at the house in Elk Lake and she always engaged me in interesting and lively debates. Our family have known the Pettyfers for many years and Mrs Pettyfer will be missed by us all. Jason & Stewart family
Alison Davies
August 6, 2023
Mary June was my godmother as well as my first cousin. She always remembered my birthdays even into my sixties!
I saw her often after I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1999. We enjoyed many a good walk together and thought provoking conversations over breakfast.
I am fortunate to have been close to her. I miss her.
Anna Carteret
July 24, 2023
Mary June was such a warm, friendly caring person and will be missed by us all I wish I´dsee. Her recently, Love Anna XXX
Luz Jaramillo
July 23, 2023
Sending my deepest condolences to the family. Mary June will forever remain in my heart and memories. She was a great friend and mother. Luz Marina Jaramillo Aristizabal
Mary-Clare Carder
July 22, 2023
Thank you Stephen, Adrian, and Robin for your beautifully thought out and well written obituary. It is SO your mum. She cared so much about the world and inspired so many people in that direction. I wrote my first Amnesty International letter under her tutelage. I first had the privilege of meeting Mary June in the 1970s through the St. David's prayer group, of which she was a faithful member. I remember coming to your lovely home above Elk Lake many times. I remember babysitting you boys a few times, playing tennis with Adrian and Robin, and making meals and cleaning for a short time. I can still hear her melodious voice and have many happy memories of her. I am so very sorry that I will not be able to attend her memorial as I will be in Nova Scotia then. Take heart in words of Chief Seattle: There is no death only a change of worlds. She is now in a bright and beautiful world just like the person she was. With much love, Mary-Clare Carder
Anna Carteret
July 22, 2023
Mary June was such a friendly deep and caring person... she will be missed buys all. Anna X
Martin Thorn
July 22, 2023
What a beautiful choice of moments from the life of a truly beautiful person. My experience of Mary June was that once one had a personal connection with her, she made their well-being her business. Of course that sense of loving responsibility and generosity extended out to her involvement in the world community, and she was clearly devoted to that work, too. She helped me organize speakers for Earth Day and Remembrance Day when I was a school teacher. My memories of Mary June are of her bustling around, and her disarmingly sweet voice, which often carried words of great substance. My connections to Mary June were through family, friendship, music, and education, but most importantly, she's Mum to Stephen and his brothers! She was a role model for me, and serves as an inspiration for women leaders. Condolences and loving wishes to the Pettyfer boys and their families.
Guy Guillemard
July 21, 2023
I remember Mary June as someone with a radiant smile, a keen questioning mind, a positive demeanour, deep sincere empathy and a wonderful laugh.
She had a keen eye and intense interest in people´s well being.
More than most people I have ever met, she related easily and passionately to the different "WE"s - family, community, country and member of the global community.
A true example to each of us.
And a wonderful cousin to have.
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