June L. Hornby's Obituary
June Hornby, 94, of Gainesville Florida passed peacefully on February 23, 2025.
June was born in Bramford England, a suburb of the port town of Ipswich in the County of Suffolk. She grew up in nearby Bawdsey, a small village in the quintessential English countryside.
June is survived by her son Paul Hornby and daughter-in-law Diane Hornby of Newberry, Florida. She leaves behind numerous nephews and nieces around the country, all whom she loved. She was married to her beloved husband Ken for 69 years before his passing in 2018.
June lived a full life. As a young lady, she left the English countryside and moved to London to pursue a career in nursing. While in London she met her future husband, Ken. He was serving in the U.S Navy and they met at a local dance club. That brief encounter led to a yearlong correspondence that eventually saw them marry in 1951 in Philadelphia. Her move to the U.S. was an eye-opening cultural experience.
When Ken concluded his military service, they moved to Lincoln Nebraska. June worked at the local Western Electric telephone factory to help Ken pursue his chemical engineering degree. Ken’s career took them Colombia where they lived for ten years between Bogota and Cartagena. June was very active in assisting Peace Corps volunteers as they transitioned into and out of the country.
Next up was a move to Miami. While in Miami, June returned to her nursing background. Given the length of time that transpired from her nursing in London, she had to restart the entire process. She excelled in her studies and was valedictorian of her nursing class in 1978. She worked at the South Miami Hospital Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center.
After Ken retired, he and June moved from Miami to Southern Colorado and built a log cabin in the Sangre de Christo Mountains. They enjoyed spending time in Colorado and England as it afforded them time to be with each other’s families. In 2000, Ken and June transitioned to Gainesville to be close to their children.
June was an accomplished artist, working in multi-media of oils, watercolors, pencil, etchings, silk screens and sculpture. While in Miami, she was an active member of the Miami Art Center. She was a voracious reader and loved word games, to include ruling the scrabble board. June adored anything nature related. Whether hiking in the Sangre de Christo Mountains, walking the footpaths in England, canoeing the North Central Florida waterways, or the many local visits to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, she was at home with all the flora and fauna.
June’s passing is an end to an era, one of the greatest generation. It is hard to imagine the scope of changes that June witnessed throughout her life’s journey. June possessed a unique ability to adapt and adjust, find joy and spread kindness, and keep her wonderful sense of humor which no doubt helped her navigate and flourish during that journey.
We are saddened by her loss, but our hearts are full of love and joy from having her in our lives. In lieu of flowers, and if you are so inclined, please donate to your favorite charity in June’s name.
What’s your fondest memory of June?
What’s a lesson you learned from June?
Share a story where June's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with June you’ll never forget.
How did June make you smile?