June Beatrice Darby
June 19, 1921-March 30, 2011
Palo Alto, California

June Beatrice McKell Darby, a resident of Palo Alto for more than 50 years, died on March 30, 2011, after a long and abundant life. Born on June 19, 1921, in Spanish Fork, Utah, June attended Brigham Young University (BYU) where she majored in business and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1944. She received an MBA from Stanford University?s Graduate School of Business in 1952. She held the distinction of being the only female graduate in her class. She married Robert Darby and the Bay Area became her home. In her professional life, June pursued a 25-year career at Emporium, a San Francisco flagship department store, serving at the company headquarters in management over various departments, from research and auditing to merchandise. When Emporium was bought by Federated Department Stores (which converted many locations to Macy?s), she decided to pursue her love of Asian art and furnishings by working for Conrad Imports. A central part of June's life was her faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she attended services each week with the Palo Alto congregation. She served in many capacities, including president of the women?s organization, full-time missionary in Ohio, prop master in drama productions, worker in the Oakland Temple, and leader for the nursery children. June faced challenges with unwavering faith and courage, usually sprinkled with a keen sense of humor and grateful heart. With open generosity, she shared her talents for cooking and sewing, delighting friends by sharing her chocolate decadence cake or savory soups. Her collection of hats and classic Mustang reflected her zest for life. A friend to people of all ages, she especially loved little children. Always keeping games in her home ready to play and telling stories each week to toddlers at church even when confined to a wheelchair, she was known as "Grandma June". During the past year, she lived in Southern California with her faithful caregiver, Halaevalu Tuuholoaki. June is survived by her daughter, Mariel Elizabeth Cashion and her son in law, Charles Miles Cashion of San Jose. June was interred at the Spanish Fork Cemetery in Spanish Fork, Utah.