June (Oliver) Holmes

June Oliver Holmes of Southbury, CT passed away in her sleep on May 2nd after a brief stay in Connecticut Hospice.

June was born in Scranton, PA, on June 25, 1923, the beloved daughter of Ivydene Rachel Beagle and Merton Hubbard Dobson.

She graduated from Scranton Central High School and met her future husband, Evan Oliver, in the ice cream factory where he won her heart by making special ice cream flavors for her.  June worked briefly in the Scranton Dry Goods toy department at the doll counter, which might explain her love of porcelain dolls—and the beginning of her extensive collection!

After Evan’s return from World War II and POW camp, they married and had homes in Orange and West Haven, Connecticut, where they were members of the First Congregational Church.

When their boys, David and Griff, were in school, June obtained her real estate license. Her success as a broker was enhanced by her ability to construct financing options for her clients and her excelling at home décor. After Evan’s death, she worked at Dictaphone Corp. where she met her second husband, “Red” Huntley Holmes. She accompanied him on business trips throughout the US, to Europe and Asia, and made friends wherever they went. They moved to Southbury in 1995 and became members of the United Church of Christ. 

Their second home was in idyllic Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, where June and Red were welcomed by new friends and neighbors.

June was a wonderful mother and an excellent cook—confirmed by her friends at the Bridge Club! She loved bridge and parties with their friends, and travelled with the club members on various excursions for many years. Her interests included painting, tatting, refinishing furniture, researching recipes and every type of card game.

June was a strong, caring woman with boundless love and support for her family and a proud patriot of her country. Her life was touched by tragedy more than once, but her resilience and indomitable spirit never failed her. She will be so deeply missed by family, friends and everyone who knew her.

She was predeceased by her husband “Red” Huntley Holmes, her first husband Evan Oliver, son Griff Oliver, grandson Terence Oliver, siblings Gene Dobson, Marion Peuser, Merton Dobson and Dorothy Walker and nieces Pam Dobson Feldman and Sherry Lynn Walker.

She leaves behind her son, David Oliver, and his wife, Denise, of Exeter, New Hampshire; her youngest brother, Ted Dobson, of Myrtle Beach, SC; her sister-in-laws Virginia Dobson Rodriguez and Mary Holmes Johns; nieces Deborah Dobson Bach and Amy Dobson Hayden; nephews Scott Dobson, Christopher Dobson, David Dobson, Jeff Peuser, Mark Peuser, Rick Peuser, Craig Walker and Gary Walker; many grand nieces and nephews; extended family and many friends, both in the US and in Canada.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or your charity of choice.

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