Mary June Woodley Evanoff

You may have known her by another name, but to us, she was June Bug. Her story began on a farm in Oklahoma on June 5, 1933. She graduated high school at age 16 and was valedictorian and finished college before her 20th birthday. She was a successful realtor and established two affordable housing units for people in Brigham City, Utah in the late 70’s. She was an avid antique collector and had several antique booths over the years. The money she earned was – of course – spent on clothes. June loved clothes. She was always the best dressed in every crowd. June did not look like a typical farmer’s daughter, but farming was in her blood. June always kept a garden, getting her passion from her dad Jim. She liked flowers too, but she really enjoyed eating from her garden, especially the berries and fruit. Memories of June have to include seeing her dressed to the nines watering her garden in the morning and early evening.

June also loved fishing. She lived in Gulf Shores and Fairhope, Alabama, where she could fish every day. She was an impatient fisherwoman and would often get cross at the fish for not biting timely or properly. She loved catching her own dinner – and yours too, which is why she always had a bitter relationship with hardhead catfish and bait stealing crabs. June rode a camel in Egypt and fly fished in Idaho. She wore high heels everyday of her work life and kept tipping over in her waders, because she was wearing flat shoes – so, she tried wearing wedges – problem solved!

June Bug will be missed by her children, Annie Evanoff Kendig, son-in-law Bill, Tom Evanoff, and Julie Evanoff.

June was a great grandmother to Claire, Ali and Tantine and gave generously to each of them. To Claire, extravagant outfits with all the accessories and when in college, she would send her home with a pound of shrimp - that June caught herself - which only as an adult did Claire realize is not a struggle meal. Ali learned to fish and sports a pompano tattoo as a permanent reminder of the times they shared. Her mother Alice taught June to cook, which she did almost every day. She was a great cook – chicken and dumplings, fried okra, homemade biscuits and jam, and always fresh vegetables, yum. June plied Tantine and her entourage with homecooked meals, mostly fish caught that day. She was also a great-grandmother to 5 active boys, Liam, Charlie, Niall, Sal and Carson.

How can a short story capture an entire life, especially one lived as long and as well as June’s? It can’t. And her story can’t be told without mentioning her love of Dancing. She loved to dance up to her final days. Willie Mae, her devoted caregiver, could always make her smile just by saying, “we are going to dance today June Bug.” Saturday outings with Bill in the convertible – dressed to the nines for lunch and ice cream, calls to Julie and visits to Annie at M. Her eye for the deal, and her special talent for finding hidden gems at estate sales are all part of her story. That is the great gift June leaves behind – stories – accomplishments and struggles that we shared with each other and found comfort in during her last day. We will keep sharing more stories as we move through our grief. Stories that remind us of good times made better because June Bug was part of our lives. We each carry her stories an enduring part of June Bug’s time with us - stories which we cherish, just as we cherished June Bug.

June’s story cannot be told without expressing our gratitude and thanks to Willie Mae, Shunda, Lisa, Susan, Mary, Rachel and without exception all staff – chefs, housekeepers, aides, nurses, and beyond – at The Chateaus at Montclair. Like telling June’s story, we find it difficult to fully express the full extent of our gratitude to these extraordinary and loving women who loved June Bug through her final journey.

In lieu of flowers, plant a tomato plant in the coming weeks. Water and care for it and enjoy the fruit it bears. Get dressed-up just because and dance! You can also send a gift in June’s memory to the Alabama Coastal Foundation where June volunteered with the sea turtle watch, https://www.joinACF.org/donate.