On the snowy evening of Feb. 5, June Reilly Fitzpatrick, 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at the LincolnHealth – Miles Campus. She was born June 24, 1923 in New Harbor, the third child of Paul D. and Doris V. (Gladwyn) Reilly.
June grew up in New Harbor, attending Bristol schools, and graduated in the class of 1941. She then enrolled in the nursing program at State Street Hospital in Portland, graduating in 1944 as a Registered Nurse. She served in the Women’s Army Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant during WWII.
After the war, June lived in Winchester, Mass., working at Winchester General Hospital. June met John L. Fitzpatrick, and in 1947 they were married. John remained her loving husband for 54 years, until his death in 2001.
In 1949 they moved back to June’s hometown in Maine, with their first two sons. June resumed her working career at Miles Memorial Hospital, where she remained for 25 years, until her retirement in 1974.
Following retirement, June worked for many years as a private duty nurse in the Bristol and Damariscotta area. John and June lived, and worked, in New Harbor their entire lives and there raised their seven children. June was devoted to her family.
June was always a presence in the community. Throughout her adult life, she was often called upon by neighbors and friends to attend sick children, housebound older folks, and to treat household emergencies. Anyone who called June knew that they could depend on her when she was needed, and that she would bring not only her professional expertise, but the warm and caring regard that she always held for the people in her life.
June leaves a rich legacy to her family, with children, grandchildren, and nieces who followed her career path, becoming healthcare professionals.
June was predeceased by her husband, John; and son, Kevin.
She leaves her children, Melinda, Melissa and husband Larry Burnham, Kerry, June, James, and John Jr. and wife Lauri; grandchildren, Jazmin, Jaimie, Desiree, Justin, Travis, Stephanie, Nicole, Jena, Jade, James, Jennessa, and Joshua; and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Fri., Feb. 14 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. June will be laid to rest in the New Harbor Cemetery in the spring, beside her husband and son.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
