Obituary of Dorothy June Stevens
Dorothy June Stevens, 97, of Bartonsville, died Oct. 26, 2018. She was the loving and beloved wife of Robert Stevens, with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. Born in Lima, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Margaret (Ferris) Shamma.
June, as she was known by everyone, spent her entire life selflessly nurturing and caring for the people around her, including those she met by happenstance. Born to Lebanese immigrants, June grew up in Troy, New York, where she met the love of her life, Bob. Bob and June married and settled in Schenectady, New York, where, together, they raised their six children. June and Bob eventually moved to Bartonsville, where they have lived for more than 46 years. June was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, mother, sister and friends. She was there when anyone needed her with words of solace, wise advice or a home-cooked meal when the situation called for it, always finding something kind to say to anyone with whom she crossed paths. Each month, for many years, she generously and warmly hosted Trout Unlimited and Stream Testing meetings at her home and was known for the wonderful desserts she served.
June always loved roses. On special occasions, such as birthdays, roses are what she would request. Either that new Jackson and Perkins hybrid she had seen in a catalog or one from the local nursery that had caught her eye. She reveled in them, there in her garden, always pointing out some new and especially vibrant bloom or a spent blossom that still held its scent. Her family remembers her hands and the gentle and affectionate way she touched her garden treasures. Quite often, Bob and June would visit local gardens. Jackson Garden at Union College was a favorite of theirs. As their six children gleefully romped through the paths, June walked quietly, admiring the rose display in all its glory. Occasionally, she would take a small cutting — a small piece of the rose bush that would enable her to start another. Like a hen sitting on eggs, June would place a mason jar atop, patiently protecting the cutting through the long harsh winter, hopeful that the warmth and promise of spring would bring a welcome new arrival. Her children have such rose bushes in their gardens. In season, puffy, pink heads of blooms dance in the breeze and sunlight, and are reminiscent of June and her never-ending optimism and generosity of spirit.
In addition to her husband, Robert, she is survived by her children: Susan Schlossberg and her husband, Kenneth, of Massapequa, New York; Kristine Savona and her husband, Giuseppe, of Adamstown, Maryland; Ward Stevens and his wife, Lynne, of Perkasie; Robert C. Stevens and his wife, Traeci, of Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Melissa Vesce and her husband, Joseph, of Bartonsville; son-in-law, C. Alan Bush of Easton; and 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lauren Bush.
The family wishes to thank the nurses and home health aides, including from the Lehigh Valley Hospice-Pocono, for their excellent care.
There will be a visitation from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. Father Richard Czachor will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Our Lady of Victory Church, 327 Cherry Lane Road in Tannersville, with a visitation at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow at Forks Church Cemetery, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, nationalmssociety.org.
