June S. Alexander
March 15, 1930 - April 20, 2019
Obituary
June S. Alexander
March 15 1930 – April 20 2019
June S. Alexander peacefully passed away in her sleep at her home in Burien, Washington on April 20, 2019. She lived an active and full 89 years and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Born as June Marie Schaffer on March 15th, 1930 to the late Ernest & Marie Schaffer of Tacoma Washington, she was raised as a Christian Scientist. June proudly graduated from Stadium High School. In fact, the weekend before she died June attended Stadium’s 100th anniversary celebration which she thoroughly enjoyed. During her high school career, she met her life-long friends Bert and Marilyn Fisher with whom she had many good times and cherished their friendship over the years. After high school, “June Bug” went to the University of Puget Sound for two years. She loved to share her joyful memories from her summer job at Mt. Rainier. After college, June moved back to Tacoma. She worked as a receptionist for a dental office at Fort Lewis when she met her husband John (Jack) Alexander. John was serving his subsequent commitment on a ship after graduating from the Naval Academy and was docked in the area for repairs. They quickly fell in love and were married in 1954. Jack was still in the navy, so they lived and traveled around the country while he was being transferred, including Annapolis and Boston. While living in Annapolis they had their first children, twin girls, Jackie and Cindy. After his five-year commitment in the Navy, Jack took a position with Boeing and the family moved back to Tacoma where they had their third child, a boy, Jim (Jamey).
Soon after Jamey’s arrival, Jack received a new assignment with Boeing and the family was sent on the move again, this time to Huntsville, Alabama where they lived for five years. They eventually moved back to the Seattle area to settle in Burien. The family became long-time members of St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church where June did a lot of volunteer work. During this time, June was a stay-at-home mom. However, once the kids were out of high school June was anxious to get back to work and ultimately took a job with the Federal government as a receptionist within HUD (Housing and Urban Development). After settling into her career, she transferred to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). The rest is history as she worked at the DEA for the next 40 years, not retiring until 2018 at 88 years old. Many wondered if she was a secret agent, a rumor that was neither confirmed nor denied! June loved working at the DEA and made many amazing friends there. She made connections wherever she went, even on the bus which she rode almost every day and elsewhere!
Over the last many years and in retirement June enjoyed working part time as a greeter for the cruise ships, spending time in downtown Seattle, volunteering at Mary’s Place and the Recovery Café, family gatherings and a glass of white wine! June was a very social person and was always ready to strike up a conversation. She never met a stranger, only a new friend! She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
June is survived by her three children, Jacqueline (Jackie) Fore, Cynthia (Cindy) Swezea, and James (Jim) Alexander, their spouses Tony Fore, Brad Swezea and Pamela Alexander, her eight grandchildren, Kathryn Norgard, Lindsey Swezea, Matthew Swezea, Tyler Fore, Stephen Fore, Brittany Alexander, Chelsea Ingrim, Madisyn Alexander and her one great-grandchild Vera Fore.
She is preceded in death by her husband John P. Alexander who died in 2004.
June will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA in a private family ceremony next to her beloved Jack. A memorial service will be held for all that would like to celebrate her life on June 21st at 2 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, 1005 SW 152nd St, Seattle, WA 98166. Phone: (206) 243-6844, with a reception to follow.
Online condolences and tributes may be shared at this website or at the reception.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in the name of June Alexander to Mary’s Place or St Elizabeth Episcopal Church in Burien.
We love you June and we miss you
I loved listening to June talk about her interesting life. She enjoyed every minute of it. June loved her family and friends, talked about them everyday. She will be missed by so many, I will miss her! I love you, June. So thankful to have had you in my life for so many fun years. RIP June.
June was a very special lady. One-of-a-kind! I can’t think of be a without thinking of June. So many wonderful memories. I know she’s in Heaven picking flowers. Love you June
I have heard many great stories about Grandma June during the last few years and had the absolute pleasure of her company right across the table last Thanksgiving. I know I will hear more delightful stories in the years to come, bringing on the smiles. May l strive to leave such a wonderful legacy as hers in having touched so many lives. My heart is with the whole family in all their goodbyes.
I met June in the nineties, she was a lovely person the world is a little less bright with her passing
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Please keep in mind that God will heal and will strengthen you during this difficult time. (Psalm 147: 3). To find out more regarding the hope for the dead, visit JW.org and search “death”.