June M. Erickson Davies

It isn’t often that a person comes around who can help guide others along their way. However, June M. Davies was one of those rare individuals. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, and decisive woman, June’s compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle, and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. She was a mentor, a natural teacher who was capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She managed to do all of this and keep a general focus on harmony and peace.

June came into the world on May 31, 1924 12:00 A. M. She first greeted the world in Chicago, IL. Her parents' names were Paul and Charlotte. She grew up in the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago, IL. When she was young, June's friends and family found that "straightforward" and "honest" were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, June demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, an ability to be very perceptive and a disposition that was easy and enjoyable for those around her. These early years were a time which allowed her to learn and grow and to experience many new things. She spent time at a summer cottage in Indiana. At church, she was part of a group called the Friendly Girls. June liked to watch her Mom cook and liked to cook herself.

June was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well in bringing a sense of harmony, understanding and peace to the family. June had one older sister Lorayne and two younger sisters, Pauline and Barbara. June was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. Her simple, clear-cut approaches to most things were usually welcomed as she helped out with any number of activities. June carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her a pleasure and a delight to be around. June was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

As a young girl, June was imaginative, ingenious, clever, and a novel thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, June could easily relate to other children. Going to school was a large part of those early years.

Both in and out of school, she enjoyed spending time with her friends, and always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Her friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Some of her best friends included Henrietta. June and Henrietta looked like twins sisters. Always one who enjoyed being involved, she belonged to Friendly Girls. June had several hobbies while growing up that included playing the harmonica.

The home where a child grows up can be of great influence. June lived in a two flat building with Grandma on one floor and their family on another floor. June went to a summer home every year in Saginaw, MI. However, to June, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending good times with her many friends.

During her high school years, June had a natural flair for constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She did well in school and enjoyed telling stories in a way that naturally drew people to her. June was often found to be the person facilitating a group activity, or frequently filling the role of being the life of the party. Teachers and classmates knew her as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped that was waiting for her right around the corner. June liked secretarial classes and was great at taking shorthand.

June’s natural abilities to encourage others extended outside of school as well.

For June these teen years were not just about academics. There were many other areas that interested her as well. Friendships played a big part during these years. She would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. She was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life, she had many friends.

As in just about every aspect of her life, June was always aware of her responsibilities.

When June became involved in a relationship, she put everything into it. Donald Leslie Davies learned this firsthand. June and Don met in high school. The bridesmaids included Henrietta, Pauline and Barbara.

June and Don honeymooned at Big Bear Lake.

Compassionate and devoted, June worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that Don came first in June’s book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered Don’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, June did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how June was truly a person of empathy. As part of this, the couple tried their best to surround themselves with a good and loyal group of friends. Some of their best friends included The Coffee's, Miller's, Randell's. It was a great time when all the family's got together with all the children.

During the early years of their marriage, June and Don lived rather modestly. Their first residence was in Chicago, IL. A Bungalow in Chicago,on a dead end street across from a children's park.

Throughout her life, June was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, she was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called upon, she was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Her involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit of her involvement was an ability to bring valued principles along with her. June was well known to others for her ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed her as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, she was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld her personal values.

June’s qualities of being a caring and tolerant person translated to being a good mother to her children. She was blessed with two children, Donald Paul and Renee June. Perhaps it was because she was so caring, but June would often find herself filled with happiness when the children accomplished something. June did a good job of raising her children in a nurturing environment. Their house was a large three bedroom home on a good size piece of property.

June shared her love of pets with her children and this brought into the home Glowie, the guinea pig and parakeets. Glowie was good at helping to cut the grass.

She also tried to show her children new and interesting places through their travels and vacations. They traveled to Florida and California to visit relatives often by car and train.

She was also blessed with two grandchildren, Kelly, Paul. She related well to children of all ages and was able to connect with them on their level.

June experienced success in her work life over and over again. June worked as a secretary for her first full time job. Generally speaking, though, her primary occupation could be described as working as a saleswoman. Probably the most unique or interesting job June ever held was selling diaper services.

She always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was known by her colleagues as a good team player. She was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. She took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and always seemed to know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. She continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, June took great pleasure in her various hobbies, especially cooking, doing crafts, writing poetry. June had a number of favorite things in her life. June loved springtime and all the colors that went with it: light blue, pink and yellow. She also loved looking at flowers of all kinds.

When it came to mealtime, June's favorites included sausage, sour kraut, mash potatoes with gravy, ice cream, english toffee. For reading, she enjoyed People Magazine and the Tribune Daily Paper. June's favorite shows were on public tv and she enjoyed watching Hallmark movies. June liked to listen to music which she grew up with like, Big Band, Swing and all the Crooners!

June enjoyed sports. Because she was so instinctive and could always grasp the bigger picture, she delighted in the strategy and inner workings of competition. She also enjoyed watching her favorite teams and events whenever she got the opportunity.

June’s faith was important to her. June grew up as a Methodist, active in choir and women's groups. She was compassionate and warmhearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the congregation.

June Davies left us on April 29th, 2011. She passed away at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois. She was 86 years old. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister and husband. She is survived by her children. Services were handled by Blake-Lamb Funeral Home. June was laid to rest Privately at Fairmount Willow Hills Cemetery.

Throughout her life, June was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tenderhearted and easy to get along with. June leaves behind a legacy of lifelong friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember June M. Davies with fondness.

June M. Davies, nee Erickson, age 86, formerly of Glen Ellyn; beloved wife of the late Donald; loving mother of Don Davies and Renee (Bill) Plaza; cherished grandmother of Kelly and Paul; dear sister of Lorayne (late Bud) Kiesling, Paula (late Richard) Parker and the late Barbara Semel; loving aunt to many.

Memorial Visitation Monday, May 16, 2011 3:00 pm until time of Memorial Service 7:00 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt 34).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimers Association, PO Box 96011, Washington DC, 20090 or at www.alz.org. For more information, call the funeral home at 630-964-9392.