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June Stevens
07/06/1928 – 23/09/2022
Aged 94
Beloved wife of the late Jack Stevens of Kotara.
Loving mother and mother -in-law of Rebecca, Amanda & Barry,
Adoring grandmother of Renae, Erin, Rhia & Jack
Cherished great-grandmother of Xavier, Trinity, Emmett, Orion & Anouk
left us on 23/09/2022.
Following the wishes of June, her family will hold a private memorial.
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Hello to all those who also love our June.
I’m June’s cousin Wendy, and it seems I’m the only one of us now who was there to witness her life from about 1948 till her girls were of cognitive age. June and her sister Valerie grew up with their parents Edie and Brownie at 29 Murray Square Mayfield. It was such a happy home. My Aunty Edie looked after me 3 days a week when I was 3 and 4yrs old as my Mum was working part time.
My earliest childhood memory of June was when she worked in the building known as the Bank Corner in Hunter St. Newcastle West – opposite where Muso’s Corner is now. I remember her coming home from work when I was about 4 and I asked her what she did at work. I can’t remember what she told me, but because she was willing to tell me about it I remember that I felt so important.
June was always a lady who sews. When I was about 5 I saw her making a beautiful little frock in white with little sprays of pink flowers. I loved it, but she told me it was for another cousin who was just a bit younger than me. She wanted me to try it on to check whether it would fit Carol. Then at Christmas time I found I’d been tricked. It was really for me. I think she may have made one for Carol as well. It was my favourite till it wouldn’t fit me any more.
The family was very excited when June’s Dad, known as Brownie, bought one of the first models of Holden car, light green and very up-market. I still remember the rego – ASO 979 Till then they’d had a Model T Ford.
Well, before too long, June had a boyfriend in Jack, and Val had Eric. They were the nicest fellows. Jack used to tell me interesting little stories to amuse me, and from when I was about 6, Eric would teach me little tunes to play on the piano.
June would sew beautiful dresses for Val and herself and for her Mum. She was a girl wonder or so it seemed to me. The boys would be sailing out at the lake with VJ sailing boats each weekend and sometimes I’d be allowed to go out in the boat with them. What a thrill.
Each Christmas we would camp in tents at Belmont South park for several weeks- while our men caught the bus back to the BHP to work. June and Val would decorate the 12’ x 15’ canvas tent with coloured crepe paper streamers and balloons and have a decorated Christmas Tree. Jack and Eric would come out to visit at the camping ground and sit with the girls in the canvas deck chairs chatting long into the night. I could hear the murmur of their talking as I went to sleep in the next tent.
Then there were the exciting times when June married Jack and Val married Eric, and each had their homes built. Both homes became the life-long focus of both marriages. Jack was a wonderful husband and father. My parents always looked up to Jack and I know in the middle years they considered him the stalwart of the family. That word is not used much these days. It means strong, sturdy, reliable, loyal and hard-working.
June had such a positive attitude and was always very industrious. Never idle. I was there when she drew the little Teddy Bear pictures that have been on the kitchen wall until the very end. I remember sitting at that same kitchen table and very slowly sewing buttons on a new garment she was making when I was about 7 yrs old I guess. I was slow as I was just learning to master the needle. She sewed and knitted and crocheted her heart out, giving so much away to others throughout her life – and has been doing that till she no longer could.
She was always willing to go the extra mile to help when needed. When Val contracted polio and Virginia was just 3yrs old, Eric would have Virginia at night and my Aunt Edie would go to pick her up very early to take home and care for her, with June’s help though Rebecca was still a baby. That was a very stressful time in the family with Val needing constant care and rehabilitation. Then there was baby Jacaleen’s arrival and care – because Val couldn’t and Eric had to work. June and her Mum shared the care of baby Jacaleen. Eric was also a loving and caring husband, devoting himself to his lifelong caring for Val and the girls. And then baby Amanda joined the family, making it up to 4 precious little girls.
Life went on, with June attending TAFE and becoming the Needlework teacher at Hamilton South Primary School for about 20 years and also helping in the schools Bec and Mandy attended. In the years after that she and Jack joined the Kotara Bowling Club where she took on many responsibilities over the years, eventually becoming President and Life Member. The neighbours from around their home, and the ladies from the Bowling Club have been June’s friends for many years and contributed to her enjoyment of life.
A very sad time was when Jack had to leave his family as his battle with cancer drew to a close. He and June had been so loving and close throughout their married life. I’d never heard a cross word between them. It was a marriage to which any of us would aspire. They have both had a life well lived. And they were both so proud of their two beautiful daughters and the ladies and mothers they have become. Needless to say, their grandchildren as well.
Death is not the end when our memories can live on in our children and grandchildren, for they are us. Our bodies are only wilted leaves on the Tree of Life. Our spirit lives on in the trunk and the branches – and they will sprout new leaves.
June will live on in the hearts of all who remember her and those loved ones who will continue to speak of her to each other.
I wrote this card to June, Sept. 2019
My darling Cousin June,
I may not have yet told you of the tremendous influence you have had on my life. I have always looked up to you, from my earliest memory of you when I was about 4 yrs old and you talked to me about what you did at work. I didn’t remember what you did, but I did remember how important you made me feel that you would explain it to me.
As the years passed I observed your ‘WonderWoman’ qualities as you looked after the 4 girls during Val’s days of inability – and the way you selflessly made clothes for your Mum and Val and the girls, always considering others and being so giving of your time and talents to family and friends alike. You always had a ‘Can Do’ attitude – and this has rubbed off on me.
In short, let me just say, that in some small way it seems to me that
‘I am, because You were.’
Eulogy for June Stevens. 07 June 1928 – 23 Sep 2022. (94 years old) by her daughter, Rebecca Heath.
Hi my name is Patti Hunter my mum Irene Jackson , knew your mum , I don’t know how long this will be here , my mum wanted to write some words about your mum , it’s just finding the time to sum , everything up in her words , so if she doesn’t make it in time , she will send you a letter, thanks Patti Hunter on behalf of Irene Jackson , kotara
Thank you Patti.
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