Mary June Colbert

June Colbert
Mary June Van Nest Colbert, 92, passed away surrounded by loving family and friends on Sunday, January 20, 2013, in Logan, Utah.

June was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1920, in Los Angeles, California. One of her oldest and most delightful memories was celebrating Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 trans-Atlantic flight. During a parade in Los Angeles honoring Lindbergh's achievement, she and the other children in her ukulele class enthusiastically played and sang “Lucky Lindy” as the famous aeronaut passed by.

Except for four years in southern Oregon in the late 1940’s, June remained a California resident until 1984, when she joined family in the gorgeous Cache Valley. She lived in Lewiston, Utah, for 25 years, where she was known for her beautiful garden. She served on the Lewiston Arts Council for several years. While in Lewiston, she began her ambitious program of Christmas baking and candy-making for family and friends. All agreed that June’s gifts of “goodies” were the best!

Since 2006, June enjoyed living at Williamsburg Retirement Residence, where she always participated in the many activities offered. She especially looked forward to the day trips around the valley and beyond. She also served as a Resident Representative on Williamsburg’s Mayor’s Council. Many friends at Williamsburg were also treated to her Christmas “goodies.”

June met her husband, Harold Louis Colbert, at a church fair. They were married on March 3, 1939. They remained sweethearts until Harold passed away on February 13, 1981.

June worked in retail sales—JCPenney and The Broadway department stores in California—before enrolling in college at the age of 46 and graduating at 50 with a teaching degree. Three small grandchildren were thrilled to attend Grandma’s graduation from college. June very much enjoyed teaching first and second grades until retirement in 1980.

June and Harold were always active in their church, wherever they lived. Harold had a splendid bass voice and was a mainstay of the choir. June taught Sunday school. She has been a member of Cache Valley Bible Fellowship since moving to Utah in 1984.

Despite the beauty of the Cache Valley, June was always drawn to see new places. For many of her retirement years, she was a world traveler. She toured most of Europe—including the Soviet Union when it was the Soviet Union—as well as Australia, New Zealand, and much of Asia.

June was a loving mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed by her many family members and friends throughout the Cache Valley and across this country, as well as the many friends she made worldwide in her international travels. She will be especially missed by the residents and staff who knew her so well at Williamsburg Retirement Residence, especially her card-playing buddies.

She is survived by her two daughters, Judi Kimball (of Logan, Utah) and Linda Colbert (of San Pedro, California), as well as three granddaughters (Deborah [David] Coleman, Denise Smock, and Christine Williams), nine great-grandchildren (Dustin Coleman, Travis [Chelsea] Coleman, Clay [Katie] Coleman, Jared [Stephanie] Tatro, Seth Williams, Shane Coleman, Ashley Coleman, Sheldon Williams, and Cassidy Williams), and six great-great-grandchildren, Jack, Tanner, Rylan, Keylee, Sophia, and Ricky. Most live in the Cache Valley.

June is also survived by two of her three sisters: Bettie Betsworth of Sunland, California, and Norma Hammond of Palmer, Alaska. Her oldest sister, Hazel Sheats of Loxahatchee, Florida, preceded her in death just last November. The four sisters were close and loved to talk with each other nearly every day.

Memorial services will be held at Cache Vally Bible Fellowship, 1488 North 200 West, Logan, on Saturday, January 26, 2013, at 2 p.m. The family invites you to celebrate June’s life with visiting and refreshments after the service. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net