June Catherine Lesley, longtime resident of Turlock, passed away just weeks shy of her 96th birthday. She was born in San Francisco to Henry Charles and Alma Lenore Lotz (nee Fillion) on 25 June 1919.
She attended St. Mary's elementary and high school in San Francisco, graduating in 1937. She began work in retail sales and after Pearl Harbor joined the war effort as an employee at the naval base on Mare Island.
In 1951 she moved to Turlock and settled in to raise her sons. As a single mother and sole provider, June faced many challenges. She was employed at various local businesses including The Cottage Café, Divine Gardens and Emanuel Hospital. Overtime and extra shifts were common. Her life long goal was to provide for family, which she did admirably. After retiring in 1985, she devoted most of her time to family and following her favorite sports on TV.
June enjoyed all types of music, especially the big band era. She had a large collection of records of her favorite artists.
June is survived by two sons, Joseph West and Henry Gilliam. A third son Bradley Jay Lesley preceded her in death in 2013.
She also leaves behind an extended family that consists of two younger sisters, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and five nephews.
June's ninety-six years of life saw significant national events and a full range of personal experiences. She was part of that generation that has been justifiably called "the Greatest".
She will be sorely missed by her friends and family.
Private interment will take place at Turlock Memorial Park.
Published in the Modesto Bee on June 9, 2015
She attended St. Mary's elementary and high school in San Francisco, graduating in 1937. She began work in retail sales and after Pearl Harbor joined the war effort as an employee at the naval base on Mare Island.
In 1951 she moved to Turlock and settled in to raise her sons. As a single mother and sole provider, June faced many challenges. She was employed at various local businesses including The Cottage Café, Divine Gardens and Emanuel Hospital. Overtime and extra shifts were common. Her life long goal was to provide for family, which she did admirably. After retiring in 1985, she devoted most of her time to family and following her favorite sports on TV.
June enjoyed all types of music, especially the big band era. She had a large collection of records of her favorite artists.
June is survived by two sons, Joseph West and Henry Gilliam. A third son Bradley Jay Lesley preceded her in death in 2013.
She also leaves behind an extended family that consists of two younger sisters, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and five nephews.
June's ninety-six years of life saw significant national events and a full range of personal experiences. She was part of that generation that has been justifiably called "the Greatest".
She will be sorely missed by her friends and family.
Private interment will take place at Turlock Memorial Park.
Published in the Modesto Bee on June 9, 2015
June Catherine Lesley, longtime resident of Turlock, passed away just weeks shy of her 96th birthday. She was born in San Francisco to Henry Charles and Alma Lenore Lotz (nee Fillion) on 25 June 1919.
She attended St. Mary's elementary and high school in San Francisco, graduating in 1937. She began work in retail sales and after Pearl Harbor joined the war effort as an employee at the naval base on Mare Island.
In 1951 she moved to Turlock and settled in to raise her sons. As a single mother and sole provider, June faced many challenges. She was employed at various local businesses including The Cottage Café, Divine Gardens and Emanuel Hospital. Overtime and extra shifts were common. Her life long goal was to provide for family, which she did admirably. After retiring in 1985, she devoted most of her time to family and following her favorite sports on TV.
June enjoyed all types of music, especially the big band era. She had a large collection of records of her favorite artists.
June is survived by two sons, Joseph West and Henry Gilliam. A third son Bradley Jay Lesley preceded her in death in 2013.
She also leaves behind an extended family that consists of two younger sisters, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and five nephews.
June's ninety-six years of life saw significant national events and a full range of personal experiences. She was part of that generation that has been justifiably called "the Greatest".
She will be sorely missed by her friends and family.
Private interment will take place at Turlock Memorial Park.
Published in the Modesto Bee on June 9, 2015
She attended St. Mary's elementary and high school in San Francisco, graduating in 1937. She began work in retail sales and after Pearl Harbor joined the war effort as an employee at the naval base on Mare Island.
In 1951 she moved to Turlock and settled in to raise her sons. As a single mother and sole provider, June faced many challenges. She was employed at various local businesses including The Cottage Café, Divine Gardens and Emanuel Hospital. Overtime and extra shifts were common. Her life long goal was to provide for family, which she did admirably. After retiring in 1985, she devoted most of her time to family and following her favorite sports on TV.
June enjoyed all types of music, especially the big band era. She had a large collection of records of her favorite artists.
June is survived by two sons, Joseph West and Henry Gilliam. A third son Bradley Jay Lesley preceded her in death in 2013.
She also leaves behind an extended family that consists of two younger sisters, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and five nephews.
June's ninety-six years of life saw significant national events and a full range of personal experiences. She was part of that generation that has been justifiably called "the Greatest".
She will be sorely missed by her friends and family.
Private interment will take place at Turlock Memorial Park.
Published in the Modesto Bee on June 9, 2015
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