June Bethia (White) Leighton

MOUNT VERNON – June Bethia White Leighton passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Dana, on April 12, 2026, having lived her entire life in Mt. Vernon, Maine.

Born at home on June 27, 1933, she was the oldest child of Lora (Gordon) and Waldo G. White. She attended local schools and graduated from Kents Hill School in 1951 as the salutatorian of her class.

She spent her early years in the garden, the hay fields, and the laundry rooms. June, along with her two sisters and one brother, passed many hours with her maternal grandparents, Arthur and Flora Gordon, while her mother worked as a Star Route Mail Carrier and her father worked for the town of Mt. Vernon and State of Maine contracted road maintenance.

She learned to be a proper housewife from her mother and grandmother: cooking, cleaning, laundry and pressing clothes, preserving the food the family raised, and caring for the farm animals. She also learned the chores necessary to keep the home cared for and operating from her father and grandfather: tending the pastures and fields, planting and harvesting, caring for the orchard, and cutting and stacking the wood that heated the home and cookstove.

Her childhood was happy with time to play and enjoy her siblings and friends. She enjoyed singing in the church choir with her grandmother – sometimes offering a duet. She was baptized and joined the church at the age of 13, later teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Youth fellowship was a big part of her teen years. Her strong work ethic continued when she began working as a housekeeper and as a summer camp assistant cook starting at the age of 13. In high school, June and her sister, Bessie, worked as attendants at Elizabeth Arden’s “Maine Chance” Spa and waitressed at Sundown Manor.

She always enjoyed learning anything and loved to read. (Even the back of the cereal box, according to her father.) She carried that passion for knowledge throughout her entire life and passed her love of reading on to her daughters. After making lifelong friends at Kents Hill, she became secretary to the Headmaster, William Dunn, following her graduation. She truly enjoyed the company of the students, teachers, and staff, and particularly loved playing the Hammond organ at sunset once the building grew quiet.

The next adventure began when she fell in love with and married Ervin Leighton on Oct. 17, 1953. Having known each other all their lives, they carried forward the strong work ethic taught by their parents.

June was always busy – raising four children, teaching, and running a lunch counter before eventually managing the school lunch program with her dear friend and helper, Lana Overlock. Despite her full schedule, she found time to tutor and write for the local newspapers. She and Ervin often took truckloads of teenagers to movies, bowling, and roller skating; invariably, June was the one having the most fun.

Early in their marriage, they founded Ervin W. Leighton – a private company specializing in driveways, septic systems, wells, and water lines. June was a vital partner in every sense; she was soon moving equipment from job to job, driving trucks, tractors, and bulldozers. Whether she was working in the bottom of a trench or managing the bookkeeping and taxes, she did whatever was needed to ensure the business succeeded.

They were both very proud of their four children, all of whom grew to be incredibly hard workers. The family was close and often tackled necessary jobs together; the children would help with everything from cutting firewood to tending the garden and eventually helping with the private company duties.

Mom shared deeply independent and meaningful relationships with each of her four children, each shaped by their unique personalities and life paths.

With Francis, Mom’s relationship was one of steady guidance, compassion, and unwavering support throughout his life, especially during his illness. Her care and presence remained constant and deeply reassuring.

Mom and Nancy shared an especially close bond during the years of raising the grandchildren. Their time together was inseparable and filled with shared experiences —camping trips, long days shopping for everyday needs, and the much-anticipated holiday shopping trips. They also spent many hours traveling to Rumford so Mom could visit her father, along with countless drop-offs and pick-ups supporting Mom’s Fire and Rescue classes held in various locations.

Mom’s relationship with Judy evolved over time. In the early years, during Judy’s early career, her mother was a reliable confidante, providing advice, encouragement, and considerate support that contributed to Judy’s development. Later in life, their relationship became one of mutual confidence, respect and daily connection, with Judy providing consistent check-ins and loving support for Mom’s needs.

With Danny, Mom shared a comforting nightly tradition. Their visits were a time to talk through the day’s events and job-site frustrations—allowing Danny to “download” his thoughts and quiet his mind, bringing peace and relaxation before the end of each day.

With Theron, her youngest brother who grew up with her children, constantly at her home and engaging in the family activities. As the years progressed, Theron continued to be a constant in our lives sharing a special bond with Mom. I can almost hear her calling out for dinner readiness and Theron name included.

She also helped many of the children’s friends with studies and with life’s questions. Craig, Jeff, Jeff, Pam, Skip, Matt, Scott, Wanda, Linda, Lisa and many others seem to be there at the house all the time.

Many of the children from Mount Vernon spent hours at the home as her children brought home with them.

June wasn’t busy enough, so she joined the Mt. Vernon Fire Department as a firefighter in 1975, call number 515. She took great pride in working alongside her sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons as a fellow firefighter. This was her “fun” time and her social life. After earning her Firefighter I and II classifications and completing every available course, she shared her expertise by teaching and supporting future firefighters.

June frequently traveled to the National Fire Academy for weekend classes alongside Deputy Chief Lee Dunn and other department members, always seeking to further her education. Her commitment to learning extended to training in local towns as part of a mutual aid group, and also took her to classes in Waterville, Bangor, and beyond. After many years on the front lines, she transitioned to the role of safety officer.

Even before she was an active firefighter or EMT, June was a dedicated supporter of the department, volunteering for the auxiliary and working as an avid fundraiser. She continued this work for most of her life, helping to supply the department with state-of-the-art equipment that has saved countless lives.

Early in her fire service career, despite her initial hesitation that it might be “too much,” June also became a founder and charter member of the Mt. Vernon Rescue Unit. As with firefighting, being an EMT required ongoing continuing education and training which June approached with her usual dedication and enthusiasm. She served there for 40 years until an on-the-job injury ended her active EMT role, though she continued her administrative work for the unit well into her 80s. She and Patricia Rawson were the last charter members remaining. June always called these years some of her best; to her, the members will be brothers and sisters always.

June cherished every visit with her family, especially treasuring the time spent sharing stories and celebrating the growth, achievements, and lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She valued her special bond with her grandson Jed and all the time he shared with her. She was particularly grateful for the precious time she spent with her great-grandson, Liam, before his passing.

Predeceased by maternal grandparents Arthur and Flora Gordon and paternal grandparents George and Cora White; her parents, Lora and Waldo White; her husband, Ervin W. “Tunny” Leighton (2020); two sons, Francis (2013) and Daniel (2021); her sister, Joan Wight (Arthur “Bruz”), sister’s husband Milton Hill, half-sisters Evelyn “En” McCann (Arthur “Artie”) and Marion Goucher (Merle); great-grandsons, Michael Dunn (1998) and Liam Coakley (2025); her in-laws Edwin and Nelda Leighton; numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law; cousins; aunts, uncles; nephews, and nieces; friend, Patricia Rawson.

Survived by a sister, Bessie Hill, two brothers, Gary White (Marjorie) of South Carolina, and Theron White (Kim) of Mississippi, brother-in-law, Linwood “Junior” Meader; two daughters, Nancy Dunn (Lee) and Judith Dunn (Dana); grandchildren Tony Dunn (Amanda), Jed Dunn (Gina), Eric Dunn (Abby), Curt Dunn (Tammy Olson), Matthew Dunn (Cathy), Maryann Coakley (Joseph), Suzanne Leighton (Darren), Crystal Leighton, Lora Pinkham (Scott); great grandchildren Zoey, Danika, Iris and Owen Dunn, Emma Dunn, Cobey and Xander Dunn, Tyler (Christine), Kaitlynn, Aleah, and Jackson Dunn, Sage and Colt Leighton, Zakary, Kyleigh, and Emrie Pinkham; cousins; nieces, and nephews; special friends Lana Overlock, Marjorie Gordon, Judy Farrell, Joe MacLaren, Ron Lockwood.

June had a lifelong passion for learning and a mind that loved to be challenged. She was a voracious reader of westerns, romances, and historical fiction, and a true aficionado of word searches – she loved anything that made her think. This dedication to education extended into the community, where she served on the school boards for both Mt. Vernon and Maranacook. June was also an avid supporter of many causes, donating regularly to those she believed in. At home, she found great joy in her flowers; pansies were an especial favorite, and every Mother’s Day, Judy and Dana would fill her window boxes with “smiling pansy faces” to brighten her home.

June’s final wish for her family and community was simple: “May you all enjoy life and work as hard as we have!”

A memorial service will be held at the North Vienna United Methodist Church, 572 Tower Rd., in Vienna, on Saturday May 16 at 11 a.m. officiated by Pastor Laura Church. The family welcomes all guests attending the celebration of life following the service to share a memory, a story, words of remembrance or anything they would like to share about June.

Arrangements and guidance are under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family by visiting the Roberts Funeral Home website http://www.KHRFuneralHomes.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in June’s name to the

Mount Vernon Fire Company or the

Mount Vernon Rescue Company

supporting her years of life to her community and her love of each of the units