June Cosgrove Hefti

On Sunday, October 1, 2017, the world lost a woman defined by grace, elegance and intelligence. June Cosgrove Hefti was born in Malone, NY on June 9, 1928 and it soon became clear that this was no ordinary girl. Excelling in academics, June enrolled at St. Lawrence University at the tender age of sixteen and graduated with honors in 1948 at the age of nineteen. A proud member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, it was in Miss Leliepvre's French class at St. Lawrence University that June met the love of her life, John (Jack) Quentin Hefti, who had recently returned from serving in the Navy in WWII. While Jack finished his studies at St. Lawrence, June taught Latin and English at Canton High School. After moving back to Scarsdale, NY - Jack's hometown - the couple moved on to White Plains, NY where Jack became a banker while June continued to teach. Always active in civic charities and sports, June was a charter member and president of the White Plains Ski Club and Junior League. She was also an avid tennis player and golfer. Deeply religious, and a devoted family woman, June adopted John Andrew Hefti in 1957. Later - expanding the family with a sister - Sara Ann Hefti was adopted in 1959. Sara predeceased her mother, passing away March 4, 2014 following a long illness. In the 1960s, the family lived in Middletown, NY where June was President of the Middletown Day Nursery and Co-Founder and President of the Middletown Aide Organization. Eventually, the family moved into a beautiful Colonial home in Maplewood, N.J. where Jack continued his career as a banker and June worked for the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies in foreign & domestic accounting. The family traveled back and forth to Cape May, NJ before buying a home there in 1982. Never one to sit around and watch the paint dry, June soon took her real estate license and began selling properties and homes in the resort town, while staying active with golf and tennis. Always looking for a new academic project, June soon took to researching her family's genealogy and joined the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). After June retired from real estate in 1991, she and Jack moved to Delray Beach, FL, where June continued with her community activities, serving as Regent of the Boca Raton-Estahakee Chapter of the NSDAR. June also served as Chapter librarian and Chair of the Chapter's National Defense Committee. June remained active in the Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Palm Beach communities until she and Jack moved to the West Coast of FL to be closer to June's sister Elaine Cosgrove Humphreys, and brother James Parker Cosgrove, in Sun City Center, FL. Together for almost seventy-one years, Jack passed away just eight months before June joined him on Sunday, October 1st. Always the consummate professional, June took her family duties as seriously as anyone ever has. She knew the birthdays of her many nieces, nephews and grandchildren and attended as many of their graduations, weddings, confirmations and birthday parties as she could fit into her calendar. The unofficial family registrar, June kept copious notes and details on every member of her immediate and extended family. An indefatigable cheerleader, June always encouraged everyone in her family to do their very best and to give life their all. Borne of June's boundless love and devotion to family, these are the qualities that will be missed most of all about June; and they will be missed from here to eternity. June Cosgrove Hefti is survived by her son John Andrew Hefti and daughter-in-law Carmen Velez Hefti of The Woodlands, TX. Four grandchildren: Estella Rendall, Celeste & Cynthia Hefti and her grandson Mark Hefti who is serving in the U.S. Navy. June is also survived by her sister Elaine Cosgrove Humphreys, brother James Parker Cosgrove, sister in law Mary Ann Cosgrove of Sun City Center, FL and sister Carol McCarten of Spring Hill, FL; Sisters in law, Jean Cosgrove of Malone, NY and Virginia K. Hefti of Scarsdale and East Hampton, NY. Some of her many nieces & nephews: Niece and Goddaughter Susan Kathryn Hefti of Manhattan; Nieces: Gail Lundin George, Jackie Burns, Laurie & Julie Cosgrove, Karen & Joan Humphreys, Julia Hartman, Joanne Soukup, Barbara Hefti Arbuckle, and Jeannie Hefti Fanjoy, Mary Helen Lentine, Maureen Stcyr, Jill Cosgrove, Colleen McCarten & Kathleen Jacobs. Nephews: Norman Baylis, Robert Morrison, Dan, Jonathan, & Christopher Hefti, Brett, Father John, Neil and James Cosgrove. To celebrate the life of June, there will be a Memorial Service held on Monday October 23rd at 10am at St. Joseph's Church (St. Andre's Parish), in Malone NY. (306 West Main St., Malone, NY 12953 Burial and reception at Malone Country Club will follow the service. In Lieu of flowers please consider making donations to the American Red Cross (PO Box 37839 Boone, IA 50037-0839 / www.redcross.org.)