June Marie Walks

One of the brightest lights in our lives has gone out and the world will never be the same. June passed away unexpectedly on the morning of May 11, 2021, in Safford.

Born to Steve and Carolyn (Betty) Walks in Butte, Montana, June was the first of five children. She was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome at the age of two, a condition which caused her to be developmentally disabled and require care for the rest of her life.

June attended schools in Butte and Helena and enjoyed playing games, listening to music and watching movies. She traveled with her parents to Alaska and Arizona. she moved back to Helena when her father retired, and lived in East Helena for many years. She would join her mother on outings for shopping and errands around Helena and enjoyed going to Curves where she developed her own fan club to cheer her on.

June moved to Clifton with her mother and brothers in November on 2019. She developed and suffered from Dementia in recent years and was moved to a full time care facility in Safford.

June was the center of the family, not because she required care, but because she was such a bright spirit to be around. She enjoyed sitting in with the family to play games and often offered joyful comic relief. Many of our evenings ended with us laughing ourselves to tears.

Those of us who knew Junie, knew love. She hated no one and loved without question. She took great joy in teasing her family and could often bring a smile to your face when you needed one. Key phrases like, “give you a slap and a pinch”, “give father the finger”, “BING-BONG” and “your full of the bully” will forever remind us her.

June is preceded in death by: her father, Steve. She is survived by: her mother, Betty, of Clifton; her brother, Steve Walks (Nancy), of Helena; her sister, Jan (Dave), of Port Orchard, Washington, her brother, Bill (Janelle) of Morenci and her brother, Scott Walks (Joanna), of Clifton; in addition to several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews on all sides of the family.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for June will be celebrated Saturday morning, May 29, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Clifton by Rev. Nathaniel Mma. Committal will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with her loving father, Steve.

The family suggests donations in June's honor be made to the Special Olympics of Arizona.