June White Rado

June White was born in 1925 in Washington, D.C., to David E. White and his wife Marie Noble, who would die of complications from childbirth. June and her brother Davey were raised by David and Helen Nearman, affectionately known as "Honey." While David was not a religious man, Honey placed the children in Catholic school; a source of major strife, but not without its silver lining. At boarding school, June began playing classical piano-practicing scales and etudes under the watchful eyes and critical ears of the nuns.

Her father fostered her musical talent, enrolling in June in the Cleveland College of Music's piano program in addition to her studies at Ursuline College. In Cleveland, her love of music, from the symphonies of Brahms, the deep resonant sound of the Russian bass voice, to the rhythms and energies of boogie-woogie and jazz (encouraged by a chance encounter with the legendary Art Tatum), was instilled and developed. This love of sound was only matched by a voracious reading habit. Throughout her life it would be common to find June hidden amongst a fortress of books, her interests ranging from the esoterica of Pygmy society, neurological quirkiness, and of course her great love, music.

During World War II, June leaned into her writing talents; June and her friends would write letters to services men on the frontlines in Europe and the South Pacific. She would fall in love with one of these men: Zoltan "Thomas" Rado, born to Thomas and Mary Rado in 1917. Zoltan and his brothers, sons of immigrants from Hungary, were a handsome, charming, and jovial bunch. Following the war, June and Zoltan married, and moved to Ohio, where their family began to grow. In Ohio, June would continue writing, first for Fenn College and then light verse in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

After a short period in Kentucky, the Rado family settled in Farmington Hills, MI, a once-rural outskirt of metropolitan Detroit. On their four-acre property and three-room cottage, June and Zoltan raised seven children: Mark, Glenn, Kirk, Paul, Lisa, Karla, and Erika. June encouraged independence in her children, and the homestead was full of life, friends, and the occasional creature (including the loathed monkey).

But while June was busy raising her children, she never gave up her passion for music and literature. In the late 1960s she joined the Tuesday Musicale; during her forty-year tenure she served as programmer, publicity manager, editor of the monthly publication The Metronome, and the steward of the club's successful application for the Distinguished Service for the Arts Award. This musical community connected June with her close friend and collaborator, Charlene Slabey. Over their twenty-two year collaboration they would write art songs, a chancel opera, two full-length musicals-including Mackinac!, premiered in Farmington with performances at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island-and a song cycle concerning gemstones. June herself was like a precious gemstone: delicate in appearance, private and small, yet with an indestructible spirit and a heart and mind that sparkled brilliantly.

As time moved along, June and Zoltan's family continued to grow. In her grandsons-Ryan, Christian, Eric, and Austin-she imbued a love for the arts, the technical, and the profound. In 2010, June became a great-grandmother, extending the love and care of David and Honey into an unknown and exciting future.

June lived a private life, but her impact is immeasurable. On birthdays and special occasions, she would be shocked by the outpouring of love and well wishes. Stories of her, shared by loved ones, drew people who might never meet her, but who were still moved-whether to amazement, compassion, or even bemusement-by the incredible, indelible life June led. Even now, in the aftermath of her passing, more friends join the circle of those affected by June's resolute spirit. That is the measure of a life well-lived.

Now, we live in the wake of June White Rado. One hundred years well-lived, well-enjoyed. She remained fiercely independent until her very last day, and her insatiable appetite for letters and music persisted to the end. She will live on in all who met her; may her memory be a blessing.

June White Rado made her transition on November 2, 2025. She was surrounded by her family and passed peacefully and dignified. June is preceded in death by her husband Zoltan, her sons Glenn Rado and Kirk Rado, and daughter Lisa Barrie. She is survived by her sons Mark (Mary) Rado and Paul Rado; daughters Karla Helen (Thomas) Richey and Erika (Chris) Johnson; daughters-in-law, Karen Rado and Anna Rado; grandchildren, Christine (Angie) Rado, Ryan Rado, Eric Rado and Austin (fiancée Maritza Figueroa-Garibay) Richey; great grandchildren, Destiny, Mikyla, Sebastian and Harrison.

In lieu of the usual remembrances, memorial tributes may be directed to Southern Poverty Law Center, Boys Town or the Farmington Public Library.

"It seems things are still happening"