JUNE WILLENZ Obituary

Name: Service for JUNE WILLENZ
Start: 2020-05-12T23:00:00.000Z
Location: afterwards for people to watch

WILLENZ--June A. On May 3, 2020, June A. Willenz of Bethesda, MD passed away at the age of 95. She is survived by her loving daughters Nicole Gardner (Chris Gardner) and Pam Willenz (Michael Hieb) and grandson Christopher Gardner Jr. She was raised in Brooklyn, NY. June's long career as a global human rights advocate was characterized by human rights and social justice for all. In 2011, June was inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame for her leadership and work. She served as the Executive Director of the American Veterans Committee (AVC) for 40 years. She became the first woman to head the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Task Force on Military/Veterans Affairs. She was the founder and first chair of the Committee on Women for the World Veterans Federation and was honored to receive their highest award for humanitarian service in 2018. Her book, "Women Veterans: America's Forgotten Heroines" documented a pattern of neglect by government agencies that received broad attention resulting in congressional hearings and remedial actions. She spearheaded the effort to establish a national memorial by creating a "Women in Military Service for America Foundation." Endorsed by Congress, this led to the building of the Women Veterans Memorial in Arlington, VA. June treasured her time with her family, her friends, her passion for tennis and her love of travel. She believed in connecting to people and made friends all over the world. She will be greatly missed. There will be an online service Tuesday, May 12 at 7pm EST livestreamed: https://templerodefshalom org/live

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Published by New York Times on May 10, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for JUNE WILLENZ

11 Entries

Joanne Rocky Delaplaine

May 2, 2024

Remembering June on the anniversary of her passing. Her fight for civil, women's, and veteran's rights endures. I will make a contribution in her name today to the Women's Memorial Foundation. Thank you, June for a life well lived.
Joanne Rocky Delaplaine

Susan Friedman

May 25, 2020

Dear Nicole and Pam;

So sorry to hear of your mom's death. We were very close friends a long time ago-1955-1961 when we both lived in Northwest Park Apartments on New Hampshire Ave. Stayed in touch for a while after we moved to New York, but during the years we lost connection. We well remember both your parents and how proud mom was of her daughters. Our sincere condolences on your loss; she was a most accomplished woman.
Sincerely, Susan and Stanley Friedman

Jamie Powers

May 24, 2020

Dear June,
Met you here in Bannockburn where folks like you who invest in all people come to share life. Yours is over. Your work and contributions live forever. You made the Bannockburn light burn brighter - a light for all of us. Not by color, religion or race just cuz wer are us. Thanks,
Jamie

Tova Indritz

May 18, 2020

Dear Nicole, Pam, and Christopher,
I remember your mother and grandmother June Willenz with fondness. My late father Phineas Indritz was very active with the American Veterans Committee (AVC) for many, many years and so worked with June. I recall that as a child I would often go with him to the AVC office on Jefferson Place, and June was always kind to me.
She certainly did very important and worthwhile work from which we all benefitted.
May the time come soon when your many happy memories of her come to outweigh your grief, and may her memory be a blessing to you, your family, and all whose lives she touched.
With condolences,
Tova Indritz
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Jane (Foster) Hill

May 17, 2020

Dear Pam,
I was so sorry to hear about your mother's death. I remember seeing her not long ago, sunning on her driveway. Growing up in Bannockburn, I had long known about her work for many causes, and especially her work with the American Veterans Committee. A close friend of my family was deeply involved in that work with her. Deepest condolences to you and your family.

N. S.

May 11, 2020

My deepest sympathy to the family of June Willenz. May you be comforted in knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for you. He will give you strength and courage to cope with your grief.
Psalm 94:17-19

Pao Lin Ball-Hatch

May 11, 2020

Dear Nicole, I was sorry to hear about your mother's passing. I remember her from the Walt Whitman days. May she be always remembered with loving thoughts and joy for eternity.

Andrew Earle-Richardson

May 8, 2020

Pam and Nikki, My deepest sympathies. Your mom was an amazing person. She will be missed. Much love,
Andy

Michael Richardson

May 8, 2020

Sending peace and love to you all. I have such sweet, fond memories of your Mom!
XOXO - Mike

David Richardson

May 8, 2020

A great member of our Bannockburn community. She will be missed.

Joanne Delaplaine

May 8, 2020

Dear Nicole and Pam,
I am so sorry for your loss. June gave me my first "real" job with The American Veteran's Committee when I was in my twenties and desperately needed one. We carpooled together every day to and from Dupont circle and it was there I
got to know June's passionate commitment to women, veterans, civil rights, and justice.
She was a role model and surrogate mother to me and I grew and matured under her tutelage. I am forever grateful for her presence in my life. I will go outside after writing this and sing her name to the wind. Sending love to your and your beloveds,
Joanne "Rocky" Delaplaine

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