Wellsville, NY - June Audrey Petri
LaForge
, at the age of 90,
went to be with her Lord and Savior as the dawn broke on Saturday, August 13, 2016.
Due to failing health, s
he had resided the last few years at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. June was born on April 22, 1926, at Millard Fillmore Hospital, Buffalo, NY. She was the daughter of William P. and Merriam B. (Stone) Petri.
On August 18, 1951 she married F. Stanley
LaForge
in Belmont, NY.
June graduated from Wellsville H.S. Class of 1944. In 1948 she graduated from Albany State Teachers College (SUNY Al
bany
). She obtained graduate degree
s
from Alfred University
in education
,
and
from St. Bonaventure
, in counseling
. She worked as an elementary teacher in the Scio and Wellsville School Districts
and after raising her two sons she worked in several
area
districts as a substitute.
“
June
Bug”, (her husband’s nickname for her), enjoyed antiques
,
genealogy
, and painting
. She was a long time member of the Wellsville
First
United Methodist Church. Other affiliations include: The American Associat
ion o
f University
Women,
the Jones Memorial Hospital Women’
s Auxiliary, Allegany County Board of Elections
Inspector
,
and a
former member of the Past-
T
ime Painters of the David A. Howe Library
. She
was an accomplished
oil painter. Additionally
,
she served
on
numerous church committees throughout the years.
In her heyday, June was a real terror on the local auction and tag
-
sale circuits!
It is true – there was no one like her – always willing to offer her opinion – never shying away from confrontation. However, to her credit she
had a very
compassionate
side
often donating time and resources to many local charities – most often behind the scenes. She was
especially fond of animals, including her dogs Rocky, Amber, Lucy-De
s
and her cockatiel, Joshua.
June was pre-deceased in 1992 by her husband
, F. Stanley
LaForge
; her mother, Merriam Stone Petri 1994; her father, William P. Petri 1974, and infant granddaughter, Francine Marie
LaForge
1995.
June is survived by two sons; Kevin S.
LaForge
(Ginny) of Wellsville, NY, and William R.
LaForge
(Alisha) of Belmont, NY. Also, three grandchildren Renee
LaForge
Johnson (Jeremy) of Wellsville, and Merriam and Stanley
LaForge
of Belmont, NY – still at home.
She is also survived by her two brothers: William Arthur Petri (Ann) of
Pompano Beach,
FL; and Richa
rd M. Petri (Delores) of
Bellevue,
WA, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Arrangements are under the care of
Embser’s
Funeral Home. Calling hours will be at
Ember’s
of Wellsville, on Friday, August 19, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.
On Saturday, August 20, at the Wellsville First United Methodist Church at the corner of Maple and Madison Streets,
from 10-11 am there will be visitation. A
Celebration of Life
Service will be at 11:00 am
at the church.
A grave-side service will
be held
at
Woodlawn Cemetery
. A lunch will follow in the church’s fellowship hall.
Memorials may be made to the Wellsville First United Methodist Church, the David A. Howe Library, or the Allegany County SPCA.
To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.