I have only known June since she moved into Waltonwood. She has always been very friendly. I was fortunate to get to know June some because she became a member of our 4-resident group attempting to have more of "our" music in the public areas rather than much of the music popular post mid-1950s. "Our" music is the music we know from when we were younger – music we know the words of and can sing along to. She would often say about the music post our era. "It's just noise. They don't know what music is!" As a "volunteer," I have been playing music (using DVDs and You Tube) on most Friday evenings at 6:30. She was a regular attendee. After dinner Friday, September 8, my wife and I were passing the table at which she was sitting. June stopped me and said, "Tom, I want to thank you for what you are doing." She was at the 6:30 music that evening. It was a Frank Sinatra December 1966 concert. She liked "Frankie" a lot and thanked me again at breakfast Saturday morning. Our 4-person group was supposed to meet at 1:30 Saturday but because one of the 4 could not make it, I called her at 1 to say the meeting was cancelled. Like she often did, she said, "Don't give up." I will always remember the framed "The world without music would B flat" on the shelf outside her apartment door. It was a great pleasure to have known June if only for a relatively short time. P.S. During one of the Friday evenings, the Stan Kenten Band was in the DVD for a few minutes. And June said, "Oh, there is my husband!" So, I stopped the DVD and replayed that segment. September 20, 2023
Memories
I had the pleasure of first meeting June when I worked in the Dept of Internal Medicine at Henry Ford West Bloomfield, when she volunteered in our office. Needless to say, she had an engaging personality, was fun, funny, always gracious to the staff and patients. She then went on to work in the Business Office and as a receptionist in various departments there. We enjoyed many lunches together, found a similar love of music, and jazz. Somehow it was inevitable that I would run into Bob and June at many jazz
venues. After my retirement, I was pleased to join June and former co-workers in a monthly or bimonthly breakfast get together that we all enjoyed. As always, even into her 90's June remained the intelligent, classy, wise woman whom we were all endeared to. Upon learning of her passing, I informed the manager of Volunteer Services at HFH, Christina and I quote her reply to me per e-mail - "June was a very special person to so many people. She really made a difference while she was here volunteering in her kindness, peaceful disposition and endless smile amongst many other things. It was a pleasure and joy to be around her. We are so fortunate and greatful to have
gotten the opportunity to get to know her and work with her. Keeping all of her family and friends in prayer and heart".
She will indeed be missed by all of us who loved her and were blessed to have had her in our lives for so long. I wish the family strength and comfort through wonderful memories to hold in your hearts. My deepest sympathy to all. Marianne Chaney.