June Cobin died in April 2010. She had been a member of Boulder Meeting for almost 50 years. The only child of Myrtle Upson Peterson and Harvey Charles Peterson, June was born in Eau Claire Wisconsin, in June 1925. During her childhood she became an accomplished pianist, performing on the radio, until a severe arm break permanently damaged some nerves in her fingers and hand.
June and Martin met as blind dates at a sorority dance when Martin was stationed in Madison during WWII. They were married on June 27, 1944, by a Jewish chaplain, two days before June’s 19th birthday, on Scott Field Air Force Base in Illinois where Martin was stationed. They subsequently lived in Florida until June became pregnant and moved back to Madison to stay with her parents, and Martin was deployed to Japan.
June had four children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Her family was very important to June and her face lit up talking about them. She was also interested in nature, Native Americans, folk stories from different cultures, Judaism, and gardening. She grew bean sprouts to sell commercially.
June travelled extensively with Martin and shared in his work, she co-directed the Quaker International Office in Tokyo, and the Casa de los Amigos in Mexico City. She also taught in Tokyo Friends Girls School, worked with Native Americans and with foreign diplomats. June lived the Quaker testimony of simplicity and inspired those fortunate enough to come in contact with her.
June died from Alzheimers disease. Although Alzheimers is a cruel condition it was relatively kind to June. She had pleasant, fantasy memories of her life; she was not in pain; and was only occasionally frustrated. She died in her sleep.
She is survived by her children: Lyn Marie Cobin Gullette; Gail Louise Cobin Moscoso and husband Joseph ; Karen (Kit) Thea Cobin Warner and husband Gary; and Peter Martin Cobin and wife Stephanie Wellons Cobin. Grandchildren are Lisa Warner-Rusconi and husband Chris; Mark Warner and wife Melanie; Todd Gullette and wife Allyson; Bryan Gullette and wife Alina; Nolan Cobin. Great-grandchildren include Megan, Ryan, Lisa Warner and husband Chris Rusconi, Anna, Noah, Sarah Kate Warner; Jordan Gullette.