June F. Allen

Mabel June Freeman Allen, known as June, died on August 12th of natural causes in Ithaca, New York. She was 98 years old. June was born in Larchmont, New York on June 29, 1909 and grew up in New York City and Larchmont. Her family moved to Larchmont permanently in 1929 to live in the house that was home to four generations of her family. She remained in Larchmont until the last four years of her life when she moved to Ithaca to be closer to family.

June attended the Hamilton School for Girls and Barnard College in Manhattan, graduating with a BA in art history. She loved children and devoted herself to the care of her family, encouraging their educational goals and musical interests. Her faith was a source of strength throughout her life and, as a Sunday school teacher and member of the Altar Guild at St. John's Episcopal, she gave much to the life of her church. Her gentle, loving, positive spirit and thoughtfulness toward others will be remembered. June took great pleasure in studying and appreciating all kinds of wildlife. She shared her knowledge of flowers, trees, and creatures that lived along the shore of Long Island Sound with groups of school children and her own family. Gardening in the half acre behind her home provided an opportunity to create beauty and share it with others. June's many years of living in one area gave her a unique perspective on local history. As president and member of the Larchmont Historical Society, she contributed much to the preservation of stories about people and events throughout the 20th century. She and her husband, Bruce Allen, were strong advocates for the upkeep of Larchmont Manor Park, a beautiful quarter mile of land bordering Long Island Sound that is open to the public. June carefully identified and catalogued each tree in the park and encouraged others to appreciate its natural beauty. She was a strong swimmer and enjoyed sailing with her family on the Sound. Her enthusiasm for travel and interest in other people and parts of the world were an inspiration to her children.

June was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Bruce Allen, and her sister, Claire Freeman. She is survived by her four children, Randolph (Beverly) Allen of Maine, Lucy Allen of Illinois, Deborah Allen of Ithaca, and Gregory (Maxine) Allen of England; five grandchildren, Cynthia (Robert) Tuttle, Nathaniel (Helen Ketema) Barton, Rebekah Barton, Charlotte Allen, and Joshua Allen; and two great grandchildren, Matthew Tuttle and Suraphael Barton. The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Bridges Cornell Heights for their loving care of June over the past four years and to Hospice for their invaluable support.

A memorial service to celebrate June's life will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Larchmont at a future date.

Donations may be made to an environmental organization of choice and to Hospicare and Palliative Care Services of Tompkins County, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.