Obituary of June R. Derry

June R. Derry (79) longtime resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at her home on August 20, 2016. She was born to Horace and Clara Smith on June 22, 1937 in Wickham Market, England. June attended school in England and her beauty won her first place in a pageant. Following school, June went to work in a canning factory. It was at that time in her life she met Gene Derry while he was stationed in England while in the US Airforce. June followed Gene back to the United States and to St. Maries, ID. The couple married on October 18, 1956 and started a family. Gene’s employment with Carney Pole gave him an opportunity in Spokane, WA, so the family relocated. June was a homemaker and enjoyed staying home to raise her children. In 1963 the family moved back to St. Maries, ID where June continued raising her family. June was a fabulous cook. She was famous for her homemade rolls at holiday time, and her English sausage rolls. June bowled in league and at times would bring Gene to Monte Carlo nights. She looked forward to the tournaments in Reno and had a lot of fun going. June enjoyed her time on the river property that she and her husband had. She also enjoyed spending time with her sister Maggie at the casino. Rarely would you see June without Maggie. The two sisters enjoyed creating silk flower arrangements for weddings and funerals. Playing cards, working jigsaw puzzles, and drinking her whiskey are some of the things she really enjoyed; however her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy and she loved them and time spent with them so much. Everywhere June went she made friends and she will be missed by all of them. June is survived by her daughter Rosemary Dack of Suffolk, England; daughter and son in-law Louise and Steve Darst of St. Maries, ID; sons and daughters in-law Peter Derry and Terri Derry, and Charlie and Tawnalea Derry all of St. Maries, ID. Also surviving are her brother Joe Smith and sister Freda Clack of England; 14 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. June is preceded in death by her husband Gene, sister and brother in-law Oscar “Pete” and Maggie Pritchett, 3 brothers and 3 sisters, and grandson Brian. A memorial service will be Saturday August 27, 2016 10:00 am at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries, ID. A potluck gathering of family and friends will follow at June’s home.