June L. Fowler

BRUNSWICK – June L. Fowler, 87, died Friday, May 3, 2013, at St. Mary's Hospital in Troy after a long illness. Born in Elizabethtown, NY, she was the oldest child of Leonard and Ruth (Tyrrell) Lapham. June was raised in Elizabethtown until her family relocated to Troy, when she was nine years old. June graduated high school at the early age of 16, and in July 1943 she and her first husband, Joseph Josepheson, welcomed into the world a very special person, their daughter, Paula. June and Paula spent many happy times together with much laughter and love. Paula was the apple of June's eye and the two shared a very special bond. Sadly, Paula passed away in December 1990 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

In 1954, June married her husband of 45 years, Wright O. Fowler and the two shared many happy years in their Brunswick home until Wright's death in 1999. June and Wright loved to visit their extended family throughout the east coast, and had a passion for antiques. June attended nursing school and worked as an operating technician in St. Mary's Hospital until retiring briefly. June loved to assist with operations and formed many close friendships in the O.R.; she fondly recalled her experiences there. She quickly returned to work in a dentist's office until she retired for good to care for Wright.

June loved adventures and enjoyed traveling to see her many friends. In her later years she was charged with the task of driving the "cane gang" to their doctor's appointments, lunches and gatherings.

June is predeceased by her parents, her daughter, Paula Fowler Shanahan Doring, her husband, Wright, and her brother, Leonard Lapham. She is survived by her brothers, Richard (Linda) Lapham of Las Vegas, NV; Russell (Alicia) Lapham of Troy, Dennis (Nancy) Lapham of Troy; her grandson, Scott (Lynnette) Shanahan, of Berlin, NY; two great-grandchildren, Emily and Tommy Shanahan, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A graveside service will be held in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, on Saturday, May, 18; meet at the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel at 10:15, service at 10:30 am. Following the service, friends and family are invited to a gathering at Brunswick Greens Golf Course. Be prepared to share your favorite "Big June" story and to celebrate her life. June's family would like to thank the staff of The Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for taking such good care of her over the past four years and for making her part of their family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Community Hospice of Rensselaer in memory of June Fowler.