June M. Smythe

MASON CITY June M. Smythe, 84, of Mason City, died Thursday, April 24, 2009 at the Heritage Care Center. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday (April 27, 2009) at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 First St. N.E with the Pastor Patty Aurand officiating. Inurnment will be held in the churchs columbarium. A gathering of family and friends will be held 4:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Stockman House, First Congregational United Church of Christ or Hospice of North Iowa.June was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, on June 16, 1924, the daughter of Horace and Blanche Hill. She graduated from Beloit High School and then attended secretarial school in Boston, Massachusetts. June married William (Bill) Howard Smythe on September 7, 1946 in Beloit where they began their family. Bill and June moved to Zurich, Switzerland in 1961 and resided there until 1970. Next the couple moved to Manchester, England, where they lived for three years. While in Manchester, June pursued her passion of antique collection and eventually brought many treasures back to the United States. From Manchester, they moved to Calcutta, India. Living in Calcutta proved to be an extraordinary experience for June. Bill and June eventually moved back to Beloit where they took over the family farm. She spoke often and fondly of her international adventures and cherished the many wonderful friends she met along the way. June always had a positive attitude and embraced each move with love and wonder. Making friends was easy for June; she always cared about others more than herself. Through many letters, notes and calls, June maintained and nurtured lifelong friendships around the world. June was an active member in her community. Since moving to Mason City ten years ago, June was a docent at the MacNider Museum, a volunteer at the Stockman House, a member of PEO IY and a dedicated member of The First Congregational Church. June was a remarkable woman and a model for all, says son in law Jamie Zanios. In all the years I knew her I never heard a cross word or comment, only love and forgiveness ever crossed her lips.Surviving June are her daughters Tarilyn Smythe of New Jersey and Nancy Smythe Zanios and her husband Jamie of Mason City. June is also survived by her grandchildren Thomas, Whitney and Parker, to whom she was a dedicated and loving Grandmother. She loved being able to attend the wedding of Thomas to Emily Becker and the graduations of Whitney and Parker. She is also survived by her three loving nieces, Debbie, Kathy and Barb.June was preceded in death by her parents, her dear brother Dormund (Dormy), and her husband Bill Smythe.