On May 25th, 2019, Isabelle “June” Yates passed away in Chandler, Arizona while holding the hand of her husband of 67 years Fred.
June was born the second oldest of seven children on June 8th, 1930 in Victoria British Columbia. She attended Princeton High school in Princeton, B.C. graduating in 1948. Growing up, her memories were always of babysitting her younger five siblings. When she wasn’t babysitting, she was working, contributing her earnings to support her family.
She also received a lot of community recognition and accolades. In 1945, June was elected May Day Queen in Princeton and in 1947, she became Worthy President of the Blue Birds (IOOF Girls Club).
After graduation, June worked in the Princeton branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce with where eventually met her husband who she married in 1952, and with whom she relocated with to Blaine, WA. and in 1961 became a US citizen.
In Blaine, June and Fred had three daughters. June excelled at raising her children. She relished making their clothes from scratch; even Mother-Daughter outfits. She was a Brownie Leader and active in civic groups when she wasn’t working in the auto parts store that they owned. She also had a successful career in real estate.
June and Fred retired in 1972 spending their winters in Arizona and summers in Washington, then Sandpoint Idaho.
June lived a full life. Wherever she was, a community was built. Never the follower, she taught water aerobics, exercise class and golfed with her ladies’ teams well into her 80’s. She was admired for her active lifestyle and robust social engagements.
June loved playing cards, by her own rules. She was famous for her delicious pies, bright pink lipstick, and overall hospitality, oftentimes being the neighborhood hub for spontaneous happy hours. Everybody who spent time with June remembered her. Never shy, people always gravitated to her and will remember her for her grand personality.
June is survived by her husband Fred and her daughters Sharon Mixer and Tami Vogel, and preceded in death by her oldest daughter Sandi Jackson; her six grandchildren Amber Abbott, Bryan Mixer, Ashlee Caneup, Brandi Miller, Kyle Miller, Mitchell Zediker; and eight great- Grandchildren.