June Lore’s interest in education, history and agriculture combined with her limitless energy have left an indelible mark on her community and the province of Alberta.
June Louise Oel was born in Acme, Alberta, in 1930. She attended public school there until her family moved to Calgary. In 1949, she graduated from Crescent Heights High School. Mrs. Lore credits her parents for teaching her the importance of public service and the value of hard work. From an early age, she demonstrated concern for others and an interest in her community.
In 1953, she married Jim Lore, a fellow student at the University of Alberta, and received a bachelor of science degree in nursing the following year. Mr. and Mrs. Lore settled on a farm east of Carstairs where they raised their family.
Mrs. Lore’s interest in education led to her involvement with the Home and School Association. In 1968, she became an area director for the Alberta Federation of Home and School Associations and in 1970, was elected president. In that capacity, Mrs. Lore worked closely with Alberta Education, serving on several committees including the modified school year, language arts and the Alberta school evaluation project. In 1976, Mrs. Lore was named president of the Canadian Home and School and Parent-Teacher Federation and became chair of the association’s International Committee. Under her leadership, the committee successfully applied for and received funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for their “Friendship for Peace Project”.
The “Friendship for Peace Project” encouraged teachers and students across Canada to learn more about developing nations. The project promoted an exchange of friendship, ideas and experiences between classrooms around the world. The CIDA grant assisted in the printing of a brochure that listed many organizations whose work helps to make a difference in the Third World. This brochure was distributed in English and French to every school in Canada and was an excellent resource for educators and students.
In recognition of her many years of dedicated service, Mrs. Lore received life memberships in the Alberta Home and School Association and the Canadian Federation of Home and School and Parent-Teacher Federation.
June Lore is a founding member of the Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation - an organization dedicated to honour and remember the builders of the livestock industry. Mrs. Lore has served this organization in the positions of secretary-treasurer, president and chair of the board of governors. During her term as president, she negotiated with the Canadian Rodeo Historical Association to jointly build the Western Heritage Centre. This interactive museum situated north of Cochrane, Alberta houses a library with materials covering the history of the livestock industry, works of art by renowned western and native artists and historical artifacts of Alberta’s ranching and rodeo history.
In 1986, Mrs. Lore received a Woman of Distinction Award from the Calgary YWCA in recognition of the positive contribution she has made to her community through her numerous volunteer efforts.