From her sister, Nancy Worssam: The extraordinary, clever, thoughtful, June we loved so much has been gone from us for some time. The husk that was left was a heartbreaking remnant. She has finally been released from the devastating disease that robbed us of her sparkling wit, talent, kindness, generosity, and the love that she showered upon us year after year before she became ill. We are all thankful that the suffering of her last years is over, that her joyous spirit has been released.

There is so much to remember about June. Think about what a wonderful gardener she was. I can never eat a bowl of rhubarb without remembering June, the rhubarb queen. How graciously she shared her bounty, how brilliantly she took those stalks that so many people revile and turned them into luscious desserts.

Of course, as sculptor’s fashion clay, June took ordinary kitchen staples and fashioned culinary masterpieces. Main courses, desserts, soups, salads. There was no raw ingredient that she could not turn into a mouth-watering delight. But brilliant food preparation was not her only talent.

She was a master seamstress, creative with needle and thread as well as with wool and knitting needles. She made bedspreads, pillow covers, clothes for all of us. She made soft toys for her children and her niece and nephew when they were small. Do you remember the Christmas ornaments she made? Our tree is still resplendent with yarn Santas, clothespin soldiers, felt little people, and so many more wonderful creatures that June fashioned.

Where did she find the time to do all this? How could she fit it all in? She returned to college, studied nights, became a phlebotomist. That wasn't enough. She took additional college courses, and all the time, excelled at her hospital work. She was hired by Herman Smith Associates, a company that planned hospital facilities. Traveling around the world, she'd work with the doctors and administrators charged with building new services or whole new hospitals. She'd help them to identify the best use of their space, show them how to fit all of their special equipment and services in, how to assure patient comfort.

She, the terribly shy little girl, had morphed into the competent, highly regarded professional whose work impacted both hospital professionals and the patients they cared for. This successful professional was the one who had dropped out of college less than halfway through a four-year program. All this was accomplished by "cute little Junie" bubbly and vivacious Junie who never gave herself full credit for all her talents and abilities.

All parents label their children in some way. Because she was such a pretty little girl--petite, blonde, winsome--she was early labeled "cute" "adorable". The family focused more on her looks than her strong intelligence. It was actually a great disservice. I don't think she ever fully realized how super bright she was, even after her great professional success.

After WW II when the family lived, because of the incredible housing shortage, for a couple of years in the finished basement of Aunt Lil and Uncle Leo's house, June became a showpiece for her father. He had to walk three blocks to take the bus to his job. Petite June was in fourth grade. Each afternoon, our Mother would call her in, scrub her down, and dress her in a sparkling clean playsuit then send her down the street to the bus stop to meet her Daddy. He loved seeing that blonde-haired little apparition, and she loved being the center of his attention. 

She married too young, but we bless that union because of its offspring, Nancy. Her marriage to Bruce brought the wonderful Julie and Bruce. The many years of happy Andersen marriage experiences included thrilling travel, and how she loved to travel. There were trips with her sister to Greece, India, Tanzania, Honduras, and so many other places. And there were the adventures in the seas with Bruce and her children. June accepted challenges and overcame them. She mastered scuba diving despite her great fear of the water. June accepted so many challenges in her life and triumphed over all.

As an adult she filled her life with activities and learning. She loved birds and spent time learning about their life cycles, their living patterns, and their behaviors. Whenever she developed an interest she studied hard and became an expert. Whether it was baking or birding she was a master. 

She gave so much. She deserved so much. We who loved her so are thankful her suffering is over. She didn't deserve it. We rejoice in our memories of June who was so remarkable in the years before her devastating illness. We hold our memories of her close to our hearts. How lucky we were to have her in our lives.