June Schultz

Myra 'June' Schultz died after a lengthy and valiant battle with cancer.

During her remaining weeks, she was frequently surrounded by several generations of her family, while residing with her daughter, Cathee Souza, in Vancouver, Wash.

Born the sixth child to Grace and Archie Carr in Troy in 1926, June's life began as it ended some 80 years later, surrounded by family. Her childhood, like that of her nine brothers and sisters, was spent "growing up fast"' as the family endeavored to cope with the sudden death of their father in 1935. By the time she graduated from Troy High School in 1944, June had been working at various jobs for over eight years.

Despite working after school during her teen years, June always managed to stay involved in a variety of school and community sports and events. Above all, she loved to dance and taught swing and tap dancing lessons during her late teens. Her interest in sports and athletics continued as she became a parent, teaching her children how to catch a ball, swing a bat, cast a fly and swim. As a lifelong and loyal Seattle Mariner baseball fan, she rarely missed a Mariner game on television.

June married Scott Schultz in a small Episcopal Church ceremony on April 27, 1945, in Libby. Their marriage produced four children: Terry, Bruce, Cathee and Becky Schultz. During her years raising her children, June was an active parent becoming immersed in scouting, youth recreation, and numerous community and school activities. She was a proud mother who took great joy in the activities and achievements of her children.

During the years after her children graduated from high school or college and moved away, June became active in the Democratic Party, representing Montana in 1972 as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in New York City. She maintained a strong interest in civic affairs over the gathering years, willingly offering her perspective on any number of political issues to those who cared to inquire. She was particularly attuned to political issues involving children, the poor and the elderly.

Following her retirement from the Lincoln County Courthouse in Libby in the late 1970s, June became increasingly involved in community affairs, volunteering with the Senior Meals on Wheels Program and American Red Cross while living in Spokane, Wash. Her humanitarian beliefs defined many of her core values as she sought opportunities to serve those less fortunate. As she, herself became elderly, her focus shifted largely to assisting other seniors with transportation, medicine and food delivery.

While frequently engaged in community service projects over the course of her later years, June's greatest dedication was to her family, both immediate and extended. She managed to stay close with nieces and nephews across the Northwest in addition to her growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

June's compassionate and out-going nature was valued and will be missed by all who came to know her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Scott, in 2000; parents, Archie and Grace, in 1935 and 1978; sisters, Dorothy in 1974, Sylvia in 1994, Tootie in 1985, and Marge in 2001; brothers, Bud in 1981, and, Bill in 2001.

June is survived by two sisters, Lois Beason and Myrta Keenan, and one brother, Swede Carr. She is also survived by Terry "Pam" Schultz of Twin Falls, Idaho, Bruce Schultz and his wife Sandi of Eagle, Idaho, Cathee Souza and her husband Ray of Vancouver, Wash., and Becky Tudor-Schultz of Billings. June is also survived by 10 grandchildren and five great- grandchildren.

A fitting tribute to June's life and legacy would be a small donation to the local hospice program. Along with family, several hospice volunteers were a special gift to June, sharing hours of love and support during her final steps in life's journey.

A memorial service and luncheon for June Schultz will be held on Friday, July 14, at 1 p.m. at the Valley Eagles Lodge, 1601 E. Sprague in the Spokane Valley.

Internment will be at the Milner Lake Cemetery in Troy.