June Mary Lamb

June M. Lamb (Age 87) Born on April 17, 1925 in Spokane, June Mary Gates surprised her parents, Lillian and Hurvey Gates, by being yet one more beautiful daughter. She arrived as number four out of five girls in the family. Quickly, a long anticipated “Junior” became “June”. On January 02, 2013, she passed away peacefully at Waterford/Touchmark South Hill. June was raised in Spokane and graduated from North Central High School. During her high school years, romance sparked between “North” and “South” at a fireside dance. Lloyd Lamb attended Lewis and Clark High School on the southside, met June at that dance, and the courtship began. This relationship turned into an incredible, loving marriage lasting 64 years. In August of 1944, June bravely boarded the train in Spokane and set out to visit Lloyd in Louisiana, where he was stationed in the Army Air Corp. She rode the rails for five long days before arriving in DeRidder, LA and found Lloyd ready to “pop the question”. Lloyd was in love, but had no ring. Being a resourceful pilot, he commandeered a P-51 plane, flew to a neighboring base, and bought a ring off a fellow airman who had just broken up with his fiancé. They were wed on August 25, 1944 in DeRidder and had a one night honeymoon at Lake Charles. June returned to Spokane and Lloyd flew to England with our forces in WWII. After the war, June and Lloyd settled in Spokane and started their family. They raised their three daughters here and created a memorable, fun-filled life together. June was a tremendous support, as her husband entered the travel business and remained in the Air National Guard. In 1960, their close friends, John and Ruth Tenold, encouraged them to buy a travel agency called Broberg Travel and were instrumental in making that happen. June always called Spokane “home”, but their travel business and group tours afforded them the opportunity to see the world over and over. It would be impossible to name ALL the countries they experienced or measure ALL the friendships they made throughout the world. June was a longtime member of Manito Presbyterian Church, Past President of Women of Rotary, and former member of the Spokane Athletic Club, Manito Golf and Country Club. She was a member of her “Stitchery Girls” for 30 years and enjoyed their friendship greatly. She and Lloyd treasured their involvement in the El Katif Shrine and escorted many group tours for the organization. June’s hobbies included bowling, knitting colorful dish rags, gardening, winning at bridge, taking photos (she was the original “scrap booker”), playing Spite and Malice, watching the Mariners and Zags compete, and of course, traveling. She was a good cook and could set another place at the table whenever Lloyd suddenly brought home unexpected company. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lloyd; her parents, Lillian and Hurvey Gates; and her four sisters, Ruth, Edith, Hazel and Irene. June is survived by her three daughters, Linda Blair, Connie (Dick) Howard, and Becky (Jerry) Jensen all of Spokane; six grandchildren, Heidi Blair, Heather (Jeff) Frye, Jacy (Justin) Williams, James Jensen, Ryan Howard, Nick (Hayley) Howard; four great grandchildren, Sierra and Skyler Frye, and Kali and Braden Howard. The family would like to thank Dr. Steve Johnson, Hospice of Spokane, and the staff at Waterford/Touchmark South Hill for the exceptional care and treatment provided. Memorial donations may be made to The Shriner’s Hospital for Children PO Box 2472 Spokane, WA 99210-2472. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2013 beginning at 2:00PM at the Manito Presbyterian Church 401 E. 30th in Spokane. Interment at Spokane Memorial Gardens Cemetery preceded.