June Donnelly Wendler

Born on July 16, 1969 in Bethany, Connecticut to Dr. June F. Donnelly and the late Dr. John Emmitt Donnelly, June was the youngest cherub of the “Donnelly-Five” children. She was loved by all who knew her for her bright, beckoning smile, cheerful voice, and irresistible laugh. June lived her life with her whole heart, emanating an infinite love that permeated every corner of the room.

Her childhood and adolescence were spent in Bethany, a bucolic town full of forests dotted with streams and an abundance of wide open spaces to explore with her four siblings. June adored her father and the magic he created for them. He imparted life skills and taught her how to swim, water ski, and snow ski. June also followed in the footsteps of her collegiate athlete mother who played basketball at St John’s College. Securing a spot on the Bethany High School team, the younger June also pursued the game of basketball…until she opted instead to pursue high school boys!

Like her father, June attended the College of the Holy Cross College in Worchester, Massachusetts where she majored in Economics and spent a semester studying abroad in England. Upon graduating in 1991 she moved to New York City, embarking on a successful career at magazine publishing houses including Fortune, Men’s Journal, TIME, and This Old House. At the latter, she rose in the ranks to the position of Southeast Sales Manager before her retirement.

One September evening in 1995, June and a few friends ventured to a speakeasy in Manhattan where she ran into her friend Donny who had brought along his buddy, Paul. June and Paul conversed for a while but Paul had to depart the bar early. Doling out his goodbyes, he turned to June and said, “It was nice to meet you. I hope to see you again soon.” June responded, “Oh, you’ll see me again soon.” A few days later, Paul asked their mutual friend Donny, “Is that cute blonde girl from the bar single?” and upon confirmation, asked him to pass along her phone number. Donny countered, “I’ll do you one better. She’s having a party in two weeks and you’re coming with me.” The party at June’s Upper West Side apartment wasn’t a sedate gathering of a few; it was a rocking keg party with multiple guests who’d flown in from out of town to attend. After enjoying June’s effervescent company for an hour, Paul reluctantly confessed to his host that he had to leave to meet his own friends all the way downtown. Unblinking, June responded levelly, “I don't think that’s a very good idea. Why don't you stay a little longer and maybe I can go with you.” Paul explained the friends he was meeting were also from out of town so they were counting on him to show up. June insisted, “Give me two minutes.” Upon gathering her belongings and leading Paul to her front door, she turned and said, “I'm leaving my own party to be with you. You’d better be worth it.”

He was and she quickly fell head-over-heels, calling him “my dashing prince,” a moniker which evolved many years later to “my silver fox.” After a two-and-a-half year courtship, they married in Ridgefield, Connecticut on June 12, 1998 and the newlyweds embarked on a new life in Atlanta, Georgia. They moved into Peachtree Park in 1999 and welcomed their son Aidan in December of 2002 and their daughter Lily in August of 2005.

In addition to her family, June was compelled to share her joy and love with the world. She was loyal, selfless, and endlessly giving. June nurtured friendships that spanned lifetimes, distances, and decades including her Bethany friends, Holy Cross classmates, Candlewood Lake family, Ansley tennis teammates, Bible study disciples, Christ the King Church circle, neighborhood Cocktail Club and Holy Rollers supper club members, and her cherished Nantucket Island community. June’s unparalleled warmth and thoughtfulness made everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.

June prioritized quality time and was masterful at bringing people together, connecting them, and making them feel loved. Whether someone was new to Atlanta, the neighborhood, or the school, June would bring them into the fold, introduce them to like-minded people, and ensure they had everything they needed.

Her favorite place to create community was around her dining table. Nobody threw a dinner party like June. While the gorgeous table settings, floral arrangements and menu were unrivaled, it was her warmth, authentic conversation, genuine interest in others, and gregarious laugh that made these meals so special. She was simply the most gracious host and everyone was a VIP guest. June was an accomplished, self-taught cook. While she dazzled guests with her culinary skills, her deeper motive was to bolster their souls. She infused every recipe with pure love and guests always left her table nourished in both body and spirit.

One of June’s most requested recipes was her legendary tomato tart, comprised of just four simple ingredients. She made it so often and to such adulation that she took to traveling up and down the East Coast with her tomato tart pans in tow. Paul mused that in addition to the recipe June must have given away at least fifty tart pans to people over the years.

From skiing out West and traveling through Europe to trips to Nantucket, outings in Blue Ridge, and drives through the Litchfield Hills in Connecticut, June approached the world with wide-eyed curiosity, always eager to appreciate its beauty and discover something new. Sharing special trips with family and friends created years of lasting memories for everyone who joined her.

June had a servant's heart. Possessing an indefatigable spirit, she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others and always made herself available to help anyone and everyone. When communities shut down in the pandemic, June brought the community to the people via bespoke front yard gatherings and delivering meals to the refugee community in Clarkston, Georgia. She particularly loved her work with The Compassion Kitchen Project, the Marist Women’s Build, and House of Cherith. She poured her heart into the needs of others.

Aidan and Lily Wendler were June’s greatest joys who made up the entirety of her world. Always the brightest stars in June’s orbit, they reflect everything brilliant in their mom. She loved them fiercely and selflessly and took immense pride in being their mother. When they had to face down one of life’s many challenges, June would be the first to rally, advocating for her husband and children and championing them with an unwaning intensity rooted in the depths of her love. When it came to her family, there was no hurdle too high for her to overcome on their behalf.

June was a dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, friend and neighbor. She is dearly loved and desperately missed. Her memory will be cherished by her beloved husband, Paul Wendler, and their precious children, Aidan and Lily Wendler of Atlanta, GA. In addition, she is survived by her mother, June Donnelly of White Plains, NY; her brother, John Donnelly IV (Lisa) of Rye, NY; her sisters, Patrice DeLeo (Frank) of Purchase, NY; Cathy Donahue (Bill) of New Milford, CT; and Ann Margaret Donnelly of New Milford, CT; her mother-in-law, Patricia Wendler of Atlanta, GA; her brothers-in-law, John “Pete” Wendler (Robin) of Stowe, MA, and Brad Wendler (Sharon) of Budd Lake, NJ; her sister-in-law, Gretchen Cormier (Jim) of Raleigh, NC; and many beloved nieces and nephews who will always hold Aunt June close to their hearts.

She was predeceased by her father, John E. Donnelly III and her father-in-law, John Peter Wendler.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 10 am at Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305.

Given June’s desire to help people and her love and respect for the Jesuits, a scholarship is being created in her name at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School in Atlanta, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School.

https://www.cristoreyatlanta.org/support/donate-to-cristo-rey-atlanta-jesuit

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