June Eleanor Stafford

1927 - 2017

Stafford, June Eleanor
We celebrate the life and mourn the death of our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, June E. Stafford, age 90, of Phoenix, Arizona, who passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at the Ryan House, a Hospice of the Valley palliative care facility. June was born May 23, 1927, to Ely and Ethel Nisbet in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Her sister and lifelong friend, Reba, was born two years later. June attended Broad Street Elementary School and Cuyahoga Falls High School. After high school, she studied shorthand and typing at a secretarial school. She was living with her sister and nephew while her brother-in-law was away in the Navy and was working as a secretary for the Garrison Trucking Co. when she met Eugene (Gene) Stafford. She married Gene, the love of her life, at Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church in Cuyahoga Falls six months later. She and Gene had two children, Gary and Leslie, and moved to Phoenix in 1956. June was a stay-at-home mother, a Sunday-school teacher, and an exchange-student host. After her children were grown, she provided childcare for friends and neighbors. She worked tirelessly to care for her parents in their later years. She loved to read, play cards, power walk, and meet her friends for tea parties and lunches. June always put the needs of her family and friends ahead of herself. She was devoted to her husband, was proud of her children, and adored her granddaughters. An enthusiastic member of Faith United Methodist Church for 30 years, June happily volunteered her time and talents to her church, including serving on committees and the prayer chain. She appreciated her church family, who continued to support her when she was no longer able to attend church services. June will be remembered for her big heart, her kindness, her friendly disposition, her gratitude, her sense of humor, and her quick wit. She was deeply concerned with the wellbeing of others and was known for her heartfelt words and notes of encouragement and support. Survivors include her son, Gary Stafford; daughter, Leslie Stafford (George Fischer); granddaughters Payton and Tess Stafford, and their mother, Kimberly Katchur; step-grandchildren Ryan (Kristi) Fischer and Shawna Robertson; sister, Reba (Hank) Craig; nephew, Bradley Craig; niece, Becky (Steve) Muth, special family friends, Janice Williams and Cindi Smith; and many other friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; and grandchildren Kayla and Logan Stafford. For friends wishing to make a memorial gift in June's memory, the family suggests contributions to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014; S.W.A.N (Someone Worth Accepting Now), P.O. Box 90274, Phoenix, AZ 85066; or Faith United Methodist Church, 8640 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021. A memorial service will be officiated by the Rev. Jody Topping on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 2 p.m., at Faith United Methodist Church, 8640 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021. Please join the family immediately following the service to share memories, refreshments, and hugs.