ORFORD, NH — June Mae Quackenbush, of Orford, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at the Sullivan County Nursing Home in Unity, New Hampshire on December 5, 2020. She was born June 12, 1931 to Ruth and Allen Bryer and lived with her parents and sister, Elaine, in Brookfield, Vermont for her early years. When she was around four years of age her family moved to Orford where her father was employed on the Lufkin farm. June spent the rest of her life as an Orford resident.
June attended the Orford schools and graduated from the Orford High School in 1948. In her youth, she learned to play the piano and the guitar. Music was an important part of her life and she and Elaine played in a band, June on guitar and Elaine on the piano, at Bedell’s Barn in Or-ford every Saturday night for many years. She and Elaine also played at many other venues.
On November 19th, 1950 June married Bill Quackenbush who was her husband for 68 years, until his death in 2018. They built a house right up the road from her childhood home and within sight of her sister Elaine’s and husband Bob’s house. June and Bill had two sons, Russell and Gary.
Throughout her life June worked hard to successfully care for her family. Others were al-ways a priority to her and she always did everything in her power to make them safe, happy, and well fed. June was an excellent cook and baker, who seemed able to create wonderful meals even when ingredients were not in abundance.
June’s gentle nature extended to all animals. She was somewhat of an animal whisperer who could tame feral cats and make them loving pets. Over the years she cared for several dogs, multiple cats, guinea pigs, and canaries.
June enjoyed gardening including her two perennial gardens and a multitude of annuals over the years. She tended her gardens carefully with great success, there was always something blooming when you drove in the yard.
June spent much time with her grandchildren Seth, Lydia, Tiffanie, and Enjoli. She loved being with them, as they did with her. She made each one of them feel special and totally loved.
June is survived by her sister Elaine Quackenbush; her son Russell Quackenbush, his wife Ruth Sainte-Quackenbush and their daughters Tiffanie Sainte-Quackenbush and Enjoli Par-ker; son Gary Quackenbush and his wife Deb; grandson Seth Quackenbush and Andrea Warren and family; granddaughter Lydia and husband Steven Rhoads and family; step-granddaughter Liz Smith and family; step granddaughter Valerie Russell and her husband Steve Sharp; and nephew Lyle Quackenbush and his wife Kellie; as well as other nieces and nephews.
June, who was known as a gentle, soft spoken, and loving woman will be greatly missed by all that had the pleasure to know her. Her many acts of kindness are part of her legacy.
A graveside service will be held at the Orford Main Street Cemetery on June 27,2021 at 12:30 p.m. A gathering will follow at the Orford Congregational Church vestibule, pending state Covid-19 restrictions at the time.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.