June (Wardell) Mason

June Wardell Mason, RN, 96, passed away on June 27, 2026, in Boone, North Carolina.

She was born on March 8 th , 1930, in Hackensack, New Jersey to Charles Judson Wardell and Florence Ethel Myers Wardell. She was raised by her mother and her stepfather, Egbert Freund. The blended family June grew up in was a positive, nurturing environment.

June graduated from Teaneck High School and was educated and accredited as a registered nurse by St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, New York, NY. She married John Owen Mason on April 5th, 1952, and together they raised a family of four sons in Norwich, NY. John was a veterinarian and June was active in John’s veterinary practice. She worked as a registered nurse when her sons were grown.

June enjoyed music, painting, and sculpture. She was skilled in sewing and other crafts. June was active as a member of the Chenango Community Players. She acted, directed, made costumes, and served as president several times. She was a Literacy Volunteer. Throughout her life June strongly supported social justice causes and women’s rights.

June is survived by her sons and their partners, Gil (Christopher) Mason and Christie Stewart of Blossvale, NY; David Mason and Cathy Deane of Ruckersville, VA; Andrew and Lynne Obrist Mason of Boone, NC; and Phillip and Sharon Bonnell Mason of Norwich, NY; as well as six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister, Enid Freund Hayflick, and her brother and sister-in law, Evan and Nan Freund, all of Claremont, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, and her sisters Doris Valerie Bowen Verwayen and Ducky (Elizabeth Jane) Freund Lydecker.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Appalachian Brian Estates. Her remains will be interred with those of her husband in Norwich, NY, where they lived from 1955 to 2011.

In lieu of flowers June asked that donations be made to Planned Parenthood (weareplannedparenthoodaction.org) and the ACLU (ACLU.org).

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving  the Mason family

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