M. June Bechthold

M. June Bechthold

M. June Bechthold, a devoted mother, world traveler, and dedicated volunteer, passed away peacefully under the care of Heartland Hospice at Charter Senior Living of Oak Openings on Sunday February 16, 2025, where she had resided in memory care for the past five years. She was 82 years old.

June, as she was known to all, graduated from Northwestern University in 1963, completing her bachelor's degree in business in just three years. It was there she met her first husband, George Bechthold, while offering to type his papers after he sustained an arm injury. Following their marriage, she accompanied him to California during his U.S. Navy service, and later traveled with their young daughter to Japan and southeast Asia, fostering a lifelong appreciation for Asian art and design that would influence her home décor throughout her life.

Following the loss of her first husband in 1982, June demonstrated remarkable resilience. She later married Allan Sacks in Kansas City, and they relocated to Deerfield Beach, Florida. There, June dedicated herself to community service, most notably contributing 8,500 hours over 20 years as a volunteer with the Debbie Rand Memorial Service League at Boca Raton Community Hospital, where she became a life member. Her volunteer work extended to the Cartoon Museum of Art in Boca Raton, and she spent many Sundays assisting at a realtor's open houses in the Royal Palm subdivision.

An avid traveler, June explored every continent except Antarctica, with a particular fondness for cruising. While she claimed Alaska was her favorite cruise destination-despite her notorious dislike of cold weather-her adventures took her around the world, allowing her to amass an impressive collection of over 1,000 elephants from various countries.

June's professional life included roles as a volunteer coordinator at hospitals in Kansas City and Boca Raton, and she worked as a personal assistant to Richard Bloch (of H&R Block) in his cancer patient advocacy work. She was also instrumental in supporting her first husband's management consulting business with her exceptional typing skills and sharp business mind.

Known for her kind and welcoming nature, June possessed a gentle demeanor and was regarded as a classy lady with impeccable taste. She was an ardent fan of "Days of Our Lives" and cherished a chance encounter with stars Doug and Susan Seaforth Hayes at the Toledo Museum of Art, where she volunteered.

June is survived by her daughter, Mary Casper (John) and their children, Estelle and George, of Rockville, Maryland; son, Jeffrey Bechthold (Meghan) and their daughters, Emelia and Adalaide, of Bellevue, Washington; brother, George Habicht (Cindy); sisters, Mary Deneweth (Ron) and Lee Hannah; and brother-in-law, James Bechthold (Karen). She was preceded in death by her parents, Myra and Richard Habicht; her first husband, George Walter Bechthold (1982); and her second husband, Allan Jay Sacks (2019).

The family extends special gratitude to the staff at Charter Senior Living of Oak Openings, Heartland Hospice, her primary care provider Joanna Shaw, APRN-CNP (whom June fondly called "the beautiful lady"), and friend Rick Black for his supportive presence during emergency room visits.

A memorial dinner for family and friends is being planned. In lieu of flowers, donations in June's memory may be made to Debbie Rand Memorial Service League – Scholarship Fund c/o Boca Raton Regional Hospital, 800 Meadows Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33486; or World Central Kitchen, https://donate.wck.org/give/499865/#!/donation/checkout

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