Kindhearted, Lover of Art and History
June Nordblom Robinson passed away at home, in Milton, Massachusetts, on April 22, at the age of 92, surrounded by family. Born on April 21, 1931 in Quincy, MA, to Robert Campbell Nordblom and Marjorie Payson Coburn Nordblom. She was the younger sister of the ever-so-kind, late Rodger Payson Nordblom. She grew up in the Wollaston area of Quincy. In 7th grade, she entered Milton Academy where, at age 14, she met the love of her life, Jack Robinson. June graduated from Milton in 1949, heading first to Bennett Junior College and then to Vassar College. Following their junior years in college, June and Jack were married at her family’s summer home in Harwich Port on Cape Cod and, just last summer, gathered with family a few miles from where they were married in 1952 to celebrate seventy wonderful years of marriage.
June interrupted her college education to marry Jack and begin their great adventure together. They spent the next four years in California and Rhode Island, with Jack serving on active duty with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and June attending to their two baby girls, Pixie and
Leslie. Following this, they returned to Milton, which became their home base for the remainder of their wonderful lives together. June graduated from Boston University in 1960 with a degree in political science. Soon thereafter her two boys, Richard and Mark, were born.
June was a committed and active member of many organizations. A passionate lifelong learner herself, she believed strongly in the importance of education as the way to create opportunity and understanding among people. She served on the Board of Trustees of Milton Academy and of the North Bennet Street School in Boston.
June loved studying art and history together. For a time, she studied under the Chinese painter, Madam
Fan Tchunpi, whose work is displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston where June later served on the Ladies Committee (now The Associates). As an MFA Gallery Instructor for decades, she spent many mornings introducing Boston Public High School students to the world of art. In the latter years of her career at the MFA, June was involved in a program to provide museum tours to the blind. Her passion for art and history and belief in community found further expression in her many years of service on the Board of Directors of the Forbes House Museum in Milton, where she also served as Board Chair.
June was a longtime member of the congregation of St. Michael’s Church, serving on the Vestry and the Flower Guild. With this as her introduction to floral design, she went on to establish a business, along with her partners, providing flowers for weddings and other special occasions. Also, as a lifelong member of the Milton Garden Club, she mentored generations of gardeners and flower arrangers, sharing her talent for design and love of nature.
June was above all “a people person.” Life was about making connections with others and being open to all.
This led her to become involved in the Milton Public Library Foundation. It was her way of giving back to the community, where, when she first moved to Milton, she obtained her Library card which made her feel, “Now I am really part of this community.”
As a sports enthusiast, June was a competitive sailor during summers on the Cape. She undertook long distance sailing adventures that included cruising in the Caribbean, Maine,
Nova Scotia, and a North Sea crossing. She enjoyed hiking and camping in the White Mountains in her younger years, and skiing, tennis, and golf for decades. June was also a competent partner playing Bridge with Jack, whether in competitive groups or enjoying a quiet evening with close friends.
June was an avid traveler, taking trips with Jack over the years that spanned the globe, including New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Scandinavia, and many European countries, including the Balkans and Greece, as well as Turkey, Czech Republic, and Russia. She ventured afar to Egypt and
China with the like-minded Gallery Instructors. Wherever she went, she often arrived home with treasures from local artisans in celebration of the unique cultures around the world.
Through the years, it was family gatherings that she loved most dearly. June’s happiest moments were when she was surrounded by family, whether gathered at holidays, cookouts on Nauset beach, skiing at Wildcat Mountain with kids, nieces and nephews or gatherings to celebrate family birthdays. She particularly savored Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, filled with the warmth of shared traditions. Known to her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren as “JJ,” she had a zest for life and created happy moments for all of those around her. As she herself frequently acknowledged, “I’ve had a great life.”
June is survived by her beloved husband of 70 years, Dr. John “Jack” Robinson of Milton; and by her four children and their spouses, Ailene Robinson (Tom Lewis), Leslie Will (Anthony Will), Richard Robinson (Carolyn Payne) and Mark Robinson (Tisa Hughes); ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her grandson, John “Jack” Robinson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church,
112 Randolph Avenue, Milton, MA, on Friday, June 23, at 10 a.m., with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the organizations that meant so much to June: The Forbes House Museum, 215 Adams Street, Milton, MA 02186 (https:// www.forbeshousemuseum.org/fhmfund/) or St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 112 Randolph Avenue,
Milton, MA 02186 (https://www. stmichaelsmilton.org) or MFA Boston, for the benefit of The Artful Healing Program, Attn: Stephanie Heinbeck, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
To send the Robinson family a condolence message, please visit www. dolanfuneral.com