June Kathleen Northwood

June Kathleen Gregory Northwood, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2012 in Oklahoma City with the same courage and dignity that she demonstrated throughout her life. June was 94 and left this earth to join Bob, her husband of 68 years, exactly four years to the date of his own passing on June 1, 2008. June was born on September 23, 1917 to Frederick and Nettie Gregory in Whitefish, Montana. After high school, she enrolled in the University of Washington, an early indication of her independence, motivation and intellect, considering how few women attended college in the 30's. June was always up for a challenge and unexpectedly met her greatest challenge at the Mt. Rainier Ski Lodge in 1937. A recent Naval Academy graduate, Ensign Robert H. Northwood was celebrating Fleet Week in Seattle on his first tour of duty on the U.S.S. Tennessee. It was "love at first sight" and June moved to San Francisco and awaited Bob's return from sea duty for two years. They were married July 29, 1939 in Seattle and thus began an incredible love story that never died. June exemplified a "Navy Wife" as Bob's career as a Naval Officer took them across the country and back moving 15 times from Washington DC to Honolulu and points in between including Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Norfolk and Dayton. At each new address, June was responsible for creating a welcoming home environment, managing all the logistics of moving, settling two children into new schools while also establishing new social networks for her family. June did make time for herself by making sure she researched golf opportunities, and became involved in community volunteering at Children's Hospitals. June had "Class and Sass" and ran her own "tight ship". Her polished entertainment skills, leadership capabilities, vibrant energy, endearing smile and golf prowess definitely provided her family with immediate acceptance into every new city. After decorating Navy quarters for over 37 years and upon Bob's retirement in 1979, June finally had an opportunity to pursue one of her own personal dreams. She designed, drew up the plans and oversaw the building of their home on a lake in Whispering Pines, North Carolina. From her new base, she enjoyed working on her golf game which resulted in 3 Holes- in- One while carrying a 5 handicap...a sport she loved and played until she was 92. June loved their lives in Whispering Pines and the special family memories of kids and grandkids visiting. Her final move with Bob was to the Forest at Duke, a retirement community in Durham, North Carolina. Once again, they added to their contingency of very special friends. We will always be grateful for the love and kindness they bestowed upon "The Admiral and Jumpin' June." Upon Bob's passing, it was these friendships that made it so difficult to ask June, a year later, to make her final move, #18, to Oklahoma City to be closer to family. We send heartfelt thanks to June's friends and the wonderful staff at the Forest at Duke for their understanding and their gestures of kindness throughout their time there and since her move. We will always treasure the very special memories and quality time we shared with June over these last three years that she spent with us in Oklahoma City. Junes feisty spirit, classic style, dignity, patriotism and dedication to her family, will never be forgotten. Our family owes a special debt of gratitude to Velma Trahan, who tirelessly cared for June in her final years. Her love and dedication in making June's life better, created an incredible bond of friendship between them. We affectionately referred to them as Velma and Louise. Velma will forever be a special member of the Northwood family. June is survived by her devoted children, Lynn Northwood Hamlen and her husband, William of Darien, Ct. and her son Robert H. Northwood, Jr. and his wife Sara of Oklahoma City. She also leaves four grandchildren, Billy Hamlen of Boston, Anna Hamlen of Boulder, Robert H. Northwood, III and his wife Sarah and Gregory Northwood all of Oklahoma City. June will be buried next to her husband and best friend, Admiral Robert H. Northwood, Sr. at the United State Naval Academy on July 2, 2012. Memorial gifts may be made to the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, 291 Wood Road, Beach Hall, Annapolis, MD. 21402 Attn: Tribute Gift in Memory of Mrs. Robert H. Northwood, Sr. or the Alzheimer's Association of Central Oklahoma, 3555 NW 58th Street, Suite 220, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112.