Yesterday, I learned about the passing of someone I have known for a very long time. She was aged 82, and I don't remember there ever being a time when I didn't know her. She was a staunch member of the church I attended as a child. Her children graduated with my parents, and her grandchildren graduated shortly after me. When Andrew and I went through the required pre-marital advising, June and her husband agreed to be our mentors. We had two or three sessions (I don't remember the details), and Andrew was convinced we could have them finished in significantly less time if she and I wouldn't spend so much time visiting. Our families had known each other for a couple of generations by that time, so it seemed unlikely that was going to happen!
So many things she talked to us about during those sessions stuck with me. I remember her mentioning that you think things are always going to be perfect in the beginning, and they never are. Everyone has rough times, but life is full of so many blessings. They had a granddaughter born with Down's Syndrome who passed away after just a few months. That was probably the biggest (and most public) challenge in their marriage, but I am sure there were others.
June and her first husband had three children. That marriage ended in divorce, and she and her second husband had another daughter. Some of those children have married and remarried, and of course by now grandchildren have families of their own as well. However, one thing about this family...no one was ever a "step" relative. Regardless of how you came to be a part of the family, that is exactly what you were...family. June's love for her family was second-to-none, as was her modeling of her faith. She came from a family that was well off, and married into one even wealthier. But you wouldn't know it to look at her. She was modest, and generous, and loved our Lord.
I'm very grateful to have known June, and very sad that she has passed away. I send prayers to all who loved and knew her!
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