June Evered
— June Groton Isabel Evered, of Groton, died Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the age of 88. June lived a magical, yet unorthodox life. Her life story reads like a novel of a woman who had a tragic upbringing and then made the most of life, not being bound to traditional expectations of the times.
She was born in Liverpool, England, and was a child during the height of World War II, including the German bombing of Liverpool, a key strategic port. She was raised by her beloved Gram and GrandDad and lived with multiple relatives throughout Liverpool, and Ireland, during her childhood. Despite this turbulent upbringing, it was during this time that she developed a heightened sense of adventure and independence that defined her throughout her life. She also had an unparalleled devotion to family including her circle of cousins in the U.K., and a tremendous love of all things English.
At 17, she was selected to join the British Foreign Office in London, Great Britain’s equivalent of the U.S. State Department. She graduated from the University of Manchester in the U.K. with a degree in English language and literature, after which she worked out of the Foreign Office in London, until she was transferred to the British Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. There, she met her husband, Bud. They were married in Arlington, Va., in 1960, and June became a naturalized U.S. citizen. The young couple then proceeded to live in Uruguay and Haiti, while Bud was a military attaché for the U.S. Embassy. June relocated with two children to Butte, Mont., while Bud was serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. After Bud’s return from Vietnam, they relocated to Gales Ferry to raise their family.
Although June was now settled down, that didn’t stop her from filling her life with activity. She became a working mom, working at a variety of jobs including Vality, the United Methodist Nursery School in Gales Ferry, the Coast Guard Academy and the State of Connecticut. June was also active in the local community. She served on a number of committees for the Town of Groton. She volunteered with the Groton Parks and Rec Department, the Groton Democratic Party, and Contact, the crisis helpline, and was elected to the Groton RTM (Representative Town Meeting). Never one to sit around and watch the world go by, June filled the rest of her life with adventures great and small, showing her children the world around them in New England, and beyond. Days were filled with visits to museums, theaters, festivals, cities, beaches and parks, as well as family reunions to England. Once her kids were grown and out of the house, she never stopped exploring, learning and doing. She continued to travel throughout the U.S., Canada, England, Ireland, and Belgium, with friends and family; she took college courses in computer programming; and she even tried her hand at new hobbies such as sailing and stand-up comedy.
June is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Merlin “Bud” Evered. She is survived by her three children, Richard Evered and his partner Debbie Bruce of Livermore, Calif.; Hol ly Mensch and her husband, John, of Portland, Ore., and Stuart Evered and his wife, Charlene, of Davidson, N.C.; and three grandchildren, Chelsea Evered of Austin, Texas, Kyle Evered of Charlotte, N.C., and Heather Evered of New London.
Her family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June
24, in a Celebration of Life and Laughter at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. Her burial will be held in Liverpool, England. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Groton Parks and Recreation, 27 Spicer Ave., Noank, CT 06340, payable to Groton Parks and Recreation.