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Yvonne leaves legacy of love
June Yvonne Howard of 3470 James St. in Hermitage, left this world on the evening of a beautiful fall day, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007. She had been ill for three years, the prologue of her life was over and she was ready to begin Chapter I of her new life. She was 78.
Seven words, “I love you with all my heart,” is what our mother said to all of us, all the time. Husband, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and even family pets heard those precious words. To our mother, the words needed to be said, heard and demonstrated.
Her parents, Clem and Ina Seeley named her June Yvonne on Dec. 1, 1928, and she had two sisters, Eleanor Bole, Sharon; and the late Dortha Williams.
On April 3, 1948, she married her childhood sweetheart and devoted caregiver, James D. Howard. They enjoyed 60 years of happiness. He survives in the home they built together on James Street.
Her working career outside of the home was mostly in retail, serving as a department manager at the former W.T. Grant and Treasure Island stores.
Our mother was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sharon; and loved to listen to gospel music and believed in the power of prayer.
She had an optimistic personality; a sweet, friendly demeanor; was a wonderful listener; and lovingly teased us all.
In addition to music, her interests were attending family events, celebrations and going to flea markets. In her younger years, she couldn’t shop in malls without gazing upon and admiring anything made with crystal or a fashionable pair of high-heeled shoes.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her pride and joy, her daughters, Barbara, wife of Richard Mild, Hermitage; and Beverly, wife of Allen Strickland, North Carolina.
She will live on in the lives of the five grandchildren she adored, Megan Leigh, wife of Brian Beighley; and Adam Richard Mild, all Hermitage; David James Strickland and his wife Jennifer, Florida; and Ryan Jon Strickland and his wife Lesley; and Joshua Edward Strickland, all North Carolina.
The last generation, her great-grandchildren, who she referred to as “more precious than gold,” are Hannah Leigh Beighley, Brooklyn Shea Beighley, Mary Kathryn Strickland, Kailey Ann Strickland and David Alexander E. Strickland.
She left us all with seven amazing words, knowing they would sustain us — they did and they will.
Published in The Herald, (Sharon, PA) on October 4, 2007
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