June May (Walton) Simonsen passed away Thursday, Oct 20, 2022 at her home in Somers Point, NJ at the age of 92. The oldest daughter of Eliza (Stinsman) and Pearson Walton, she was born on May 24, 1930 in Wildwood, NJ and grew up in Atlantic City. She received her teaching degree from Glassboro College in 1970, and taught third grade for Egg Harbor Township school district for 30 years before retiring in 2000.

June married William Simonsen in 1950 and they had five children: Kathleen Swisher, Patricia Susan, William (Jacqueline), Robert (Pattie), and James (Karen); grandchildren: Kate (Rosario), Kara (Jason), Loryn, Nik, Joe, Ken (Haley), Willie, Jaime, and Joel, and great-grandchildren: Xavier and Austin. She was predeceased by her sister Patricia Walton, daughter Patricia Susan, husband William, daughter in law Jacqueline, and great-grandson, Xavier Acevedo.

June was extremely dedicated to being a teacher. Kind and encouraging, she made school fun for her students. She decorated the classroom, wore costumes, and played silly songs. She considered herself lucky to live in the same community as her former students, being able to see them grow up, succeed, and start families of their own. They loved running into her, with big smiles and heartfelt greetings, and she always remembered them fondly as well.

June loved being a part of her family’s lives. She was happy to listen to stories of everyday life and offer sympathy, laughter, encouragement, and advice. Always thinking about her family, she went out of her way to get them books based on interests they mentioned, brought math worksheets home for practice, and shared articles related to those interests. She encouraged her family in any way she could, including trips to concerts, poetry readings, and museums. Pictures of her family, their artwork, writing, and decoys were all proudly displayed all over her home.

June had a passion for reading, writing poetry, and music her whole life. She loved to write and took poetry workshops whenever she could, attended poetry readings, and her shelves were filled with books where she'd marked hundreds of favorite passages. June also loved musicals. She had an extensive collection of records, cassettes, and CDs. Some she'd played so many times they became warped. She particularly loved attending live concerts, plays and musicals.

Friends will be received at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road, Northfield, NJ 08225 on Thursday, October 27th between 5:00pm and 7:00 pm, with service to follow directly after. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Mays Landing, NJ, held privately with her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Food Bank of New Jersey.