June MacLaren Reed, 88, of Rye Brook, N.Y., and Pemaquid, passed away May 26 en route from her apartment in New York to Pemaquid, where she planned to spend the month of June.
She was born Clara June MacLaren on July 4, 1918, in a house overlooking the Pemaquid Harbor where her grandfather and mother had also been born. She was the daughter of Jen and Archibald Guy (Ted) MacLaren.
At a very early age, June and her family moved to Portsmouth, N.H., spending the summers in Pemaquid Harbor. She attended Milton High School in Milton, Mass. and graduated early at 16. She attended Bates College in Lewiston for one year then in order to pursue a career in dance, attended Miriam Winslow School of Dance in Boston, Mass.
June became a member of the Auxiliary Ballet Corps at Radio City Music Hall, then took a role with the Calypso Dance Troup of Bill Maton.
In 1940, June auditioned for “American Jubilee” at the New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, Queens, N.Y. When the fair closed she auditioned for “Lady in the Dark” starring Gertrude Lawrence, Victor Mature, Danny Kaye and MacDonald Carey and became an understudy for three years.
In 1941, June joined the USO. Her company entertained the troops aboard a transport ship crossing the Pacific with engagements in the jungles of New Gunea. They were stationed in Brisbane, Australia. There she had the starring role in the musical “Pardon My Gun.” June’s career also included appearances with The Boston Pops, The Detroit Symphony, and about 10 Broadway shows. In one of the shows she met her future husband, Paul Reed. Soon after leaving New York, June “left the road” to become a mother.
Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m., Fri., June 1 at St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle with Rev. Alfred Irving officiating.
She will be laid to rest at the Old Fort Cemetery in Pemaquid.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Damariscotta.