June Marjorie Wills

June Marjorie Wills (O'Connor) passed away Friday, February 17, 2012 after a brief illness. June was born to Ruth and Lawrence O'Connor on September 6, 1917 at her grandparents' home in Oakland, California. June attended St. Anthony's School, Westlake Junior High, and Oakland High School, graduating in 1936. After high school, June attended Dickinson Warren Business College in Berkeley, then worked for two years in Oakland and in San Francisco. June married Kenneth F. Wills, Jr. on November 18, 1939 in Reno, Nevada at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral. June and Ken began their marriage in Oakland, moved briefly to Hanford, then lived in Oakland until 1964. They lived in Sacramento for a few years, before settling for good in Aptos in 1969. June was a devoted stay-at-home wife and mom, jobs she performed to perfection, along with running a smooth household. June's loving husband and children were the most important things in her life. June's hobbies included gardening, sewing and needle-point, bridge and golf. She became quite skilled at wallpapering and painting to keep her homes fresh and new. June was also an excellent hostess and enjoyed entertaining, always making everyone feel welcome in her home. June was actively involved with numerous groups and organizations during her lifetime, including acting as President of the Oakland Junior Alliance and the Poppy Group for the Lincoln Home for Children in Oakland. June was an active member of the Mercy Hospital Guild in Sacramento, and then of the Dominican Hospital Guild in Santa Cruz. June also served as President of Welcome Wagon in Aptos. June loved golf and was one of the original members and captains of the Seascape Seagals Nine-Hole Group, was captain and secretary of the Casserly Nine-Hole Group, and a member and secretary of the Valley Garden Nine-Hole Golf Group. June was an original member of her favorite Chat N'Chew bridge group and her book club group, which were formed from Welcome Wagon friends. She treasured her friends from both of these groups. Later in life June joined a mahjong group from Cabrillo, a game she enjoyed playing very much. An avid reader, she was never without a book. June and Ken passed on their love of reading to all of their children. Trips to the library were a regular part growing up in the Wills' household. June loved camping and she and Ken took their family for many years to Richardson's Grove State Park and to French's Camp on the Eel River, spending 5 weeks at a time. After the family became too large, June and Ken vacationed with their family every summer at Twain Harte. The Wills children and grandchildren have many fond memories of their summer vacations. June and Ken were married for 66 years prior to his death on December 31, 2005. June and Ken traveled to many parts of the world, enjoying their adventures and the friends they made along the way. They visited Europe, England, South America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal, Dubai, New Zealand, the Far East and many more fascinating places. June was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church. Her most recent home was at Dominican Oaks where she lived with her kitty, Misty. June enjoyed the friends she made there, and played bridge and scrabble regularly. She often mentioned how kind and caring the Dominican Oaks' staff were to her. June will be greatly missed by her devoted family and friends. She was sadly preceded in death by her beloved husband Kenneth F. Wills, Jr., and two daughters, Nancy R. Larson and Ellen M. Lani. June leaves behind a large and loving family, her children, Kenneth F. Wills III of Cloverdale, CA, Margie J. Childers (Eddie) of Santa Cruz, Patricia C. Meek (Michael Bell) of Tulsa, OK, Tim S. Wills (Sian) of Maryville, NSW, Australia; her grandchildren, Jerry Childers, Tim Childers (Becky), Christopher Wills (Dara), Kristin Larson, Karen Larson (Drew), Rebecca Chambers, Benjamin Lani, Brian Meek, Jack Meek (Andie) and Travis Meek (Maria); her great-grandchildren, Brittany McPherson, Sylvan Chambers, Lance Evans, Max and Dominic Childers, Sydney and Savannah Wills, Will Childers and Veronica Meek. Other loving family members left behind are Kay Borowicz, Ed and Barb Larson, and Mark and Sherl Meek. A special mention of Sara Alfaro, who was very dear to both June and Ken. June will be forever cherished by her family for her kind and generous spirit, her loving nature and for the never ending support and encouragement she gave to her family all these years. June's life will be honored Saturday, March 3rd, at Noon, with a Celebration of Life Mass at Resurrection Catholic Church, 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos. A reception will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in June's memory can be made to: Santa Cruz SPCA 2685 Chanticleer Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95065 Or, Hospice of Santa Cruz County 940 Disc Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066