June Louise Mills

June Louise Mills, a beloved mother and world traveler, passed away at the age of 85 in her daughter’s home in Parker, Texas, on August 22, 2024.

Born in London, June experienced the hardships of World War II, losing her sibling Terence at the tender age of three to Pneumonia. She was evacuated during the London Blitz and lived with another family, returning home with her siblings Peter and Leslie in 1944 and 1945. Her youngest sibling, a sister named Rita, was born in 1948.

June left school at 15 to work as a switchboard operator at The Dorchester, then moved on to the International Telephone Exchange. In her early twenties, she worked as an Au Pair in Paris for two years before returning home to London. She then immigrated to New York City in 1966 to live and work as a nanny for a wealthy family.

In 1968, June married Ivor, an Englishman, and welcomed her first son, Terence, the same year. Her daughter, Christina, was born in 1969. Determined to further her education, June earned her GED and pursued additional schooling in Jackson Heights, Queens. She built a successful career as a receptionist working at Wall Street firms in downtown and midtown Manhattan, where her proper British accent was particularly appreciated. However, she had to take medical leave in the late-1980s when she became ill with Stage 2 ovarian cancer. Demonstrating her strength and resilience, June successfully went into full remission and returned to work upon her recovery. On September 11th, 2001, she bravely evacuated Rockefeller Plaza by walking through the smoke across the Queensboro Bridge to safety.

She retired in 2003, leaving her home in Middle Village, Queens, and moved to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, with her husband. In 2014, June and Ivor relocated to Murphy, Texas, to be closer to their daughter and family. Her English mother, Ella, who loved reading about the Old West, never imagined her daughter would one day live in Texas and experience it firsthand.

A passionate traveler, June visited six continents and would have ventured to Antarctica if not for her advancing age. Her adventurous spirit was an inspiration to all who knew her. June was also quite the cook and loved to entertain her closest friends at home with dinners and parties, creating warm and memorable gatherings for family and friends. She was witty, kind, compassionate, caring, and loving.

June lost her beloved husband, Ivor, of 49 years in January 2017. She is survived by her children, Terence Mills and Christina Moriarty; daughter-in-law, Kerry Mills; son-in-law, James Moriarty; and grandchildren, Julia Mills, Ava Moriarty, and Ethan Moriarty. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her strength, kindness, and the remarkable life she led.