June Anne Garfield, 87, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2012 at her home in Bryan, surrounded by her family and friends.
She was born on June 27, 1925, in Rochester, New York, to William F. Merz and Lorma Anne Burleigh. She graduated from West High School in Rochester in 1942 and then attended Michigan State University, where she started her acting and writing careers.
She married John R. Garfield in 1944. After World War II, they lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she joined the Brattle Theatre Group. They also lived in France, England and Pennsylvania, finally settling in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands in 1960, where they raised three children. While in St. Thomas, she became an accomplished painter. She was the President of the Island Art Club and performed with the Virgin Islands Repertory Theatre.
In 1973, following her divorce from John, she moved to Virginia. Then, in 1977, she moved to San Jose, California to be close to her brother. She also actively pursued her writing career, publishing several children’s short stories. In 1984, she moved again, this time to Bryan, Texas to be close to her sister. Through the years, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, photography and playing the piano.
She was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother, William F. Merz, Jr.; and former husband, John Garfield.
She is survived by her sister, Nancy Roberts; son, Jonathan T. Garfield; daughters, Robin Garfield Cosby and Alison Garfield; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in June’s name to the American Lung Association.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 6 at 10 a.m. at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 906 George Bush Drive, with a reception immediately following.
View her Book of Memories™ at CallawayJones.com