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June Brown Obituary
She was born in Waterville, ME, the daughter of the late Harold M. and Bessie M. (Slipp) Starbird. She was raised in Solon, Maine and held fond memories of her active outdoor youth there. She graduated from Colby Junior College at New London, NH, class of 1947, beginning her career as a medical secretary. In 1969, she received her BS in Elementary Education at Salem State College in Salem, MA, beginning a lengthy career in the elementary school system of Reading, MA. June met WW II fighter pilot, Larry Brown, through a blind date, marrying a year later in 1948. They then hand built their home in Reading, MA, where she resided for fifty years.
June loved both snow and water skiing. Besides enjoying her canoe and sunfish, she took satisfaction in teaching us to swim at Crystal Lake in Gilmanton Iron Works, NH. During the winter months she became competent in the art of water ballet! June was an avid reader and being a real ‘stickler’ for proper spelling and grammar, she continued her teaching during summer vacation at camp. She daily demanded that her children execute pages of math and reading homework for the next year’s level along with chores before being allowed to play! She was a member of the Congregational Church in Reading and also a fifty Year Honorary Member of the Eastern Star. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling to Hawaii to visit daughter Andrea and family. With daughter Meredith, she ventured across the US and Canada, ‘camping out’ with her Volkswagen to experience the Nation’s parks and wonders. Other destinations included; Alaska, Switzerland and Australia.
She was predeceased by her husband, Laurence G. Brown, who passed in January of 1987. She is survived by her two daughters, Andrea Brown of New Gloucester, ME, and Meredith B. Fitzherbert and her husband of Danville, NH, two sisters-Mary Bardwell and Margo Yanik and her husband. Other family members include granddaughter Jessica Gilpatrick and her husband of Westbrook, ME, two nieces and a nephew.
Arrangements are being handled by the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home in Reading, MA with a private burial service to be held at Sunset Cemetery in North Anson, ME.
The family suggests that memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Reading Public Library Foundation, PO Box 96, Reading, MA 01867.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Susan Hall
November 10, 2008
Aunt Junie was one of the great teachers in my life. She will continue to be. I love her, as always, in the eternal unbreakable part of my heart. There are far too many reflections to write here, stories of a rare, healthy, and laughter-filled sisterhood passed down by my mother, her sister Margaret. Personal stories between me and Aunt Junie. So many! She was a consummate writer. She understood things I didn't expect or even ask someone else to. Aunt Junie was a good listener. Didn't we have fun despite the surprises and sorrows that coming with living! A lot of swimming ties our lives together. A lot of love. To my Family: I can not be there in person, but my arms reach out and hold you extra tight from this desert to the lush heart-home.
Faithfully,
Susie
Michael McCarthy
November 6, 2008
Dear Family of Mrs. Brown,
Mrs. Brown was my 3rd Grade Teacher at Killam School in Reading. I have fond memories of her and remember especially the opportunity Mrs. Brown gave us to vote for President of the United States for the first time. It was November 1972 and I clearly remember being among a small group of three of four other 3rd graders who cast a ballot for George McGovern instead of Richard Nixon. Anyhow, I never forgot how important voting was for Mrs. Brown and her dedication to her students left a long lasting impression on me. She brought us outside often and I remember her teaching us science in the woods at Killam School. Her love of the outdoors and teaching was clear to us. Now, I am a wildlife biologist and I also teach middle school science in Westwood, MA. She loved her students and we loved Mrs. Brown!
Debbie
November 4, 2008
Dear Meredith and family,
I will always remember your mom fondly. Loved the opportunity to spend some time at the camp water skiing with your mom in the boat. May June bug find peace at the side of her husband.
Love, Debbie
John B. Douglass & John B. Douglass II
November 3, 2008
This book of memories is to serve as a record of the services you entrusted to us. We hope it will help to preserve treasured memories and that we, in some small measure, have helped to ease your burden and bring you comfort.
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