AUBURN — June Patricia Spear, 81, of West Auburn, died Monday, Nov. 6, at the Hospice House in Auburn following a brief illness.

June was born in Lewiston on Dec. 1, 1935, the first child of the late Frederick and Ingrid Spear. June was a lifelong learner and teacher, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English, followed many years later by an associate’s degree in plant and soil technology. She taught children in Massachusetts, Germany, Spain and England, then taught adults at Central Maine Community College in Auburn.

June adored her family and took pride in hosting summer reunions and holiday gatherings in West Auburn for her nieces and nephew and their growing families. She was a very organized hostess, keeping her ducks in a row and assigning tasks to willing volunteers as meal time drew near. June was very sentimental and in later years enjoyed passing along her treasures and sharing their stories with subsequent generations.

She loved to travel and explored the United States and several foreign countries. She visited several European countries, taking photographs and collecting souvenirs for her family along the way. She enjoyed many cruises with her parents and friends. Her most adventurous trip was an African safari.

She began taking Senior College classes in 2005, and enjoyed them so much that she served on the board of directors for five years and taught sixteen classes herself. She particularly enjoyed theater outings and day trips with her Senior College classmates.

For many years she volunteered with Androscoggin Home Health, visiting shut-ins, providing transportation and greeting visitors at the Hospice House. She enjoyed her time at the Hospice House and was recognized by many volunteers and staff members when she moved in on Oct. 25.

June was a member of the West Auburn Congregational Church, where she served for many years as a deacon and was involved in Heifer Project sales and organizing the annual Christmas pageant. She appreciated the love and support she received from her church family.

June was a Rainbow Girl as a child, and joined the Order of Eastern Star later in life. She was Past Worthy Matron of Pine Cone Chapter #26, Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed presenting with Readers Theater. She was also a member of the Auburn Art Club and the West Auburn School Historical Society.

She is survived by her sister, Anne Ceplikas and brother-in-law, Julius Ceplikas of Auburn; four nieces, Janice Schneider and her husband, Barton of Franklin, Tenn., Joyce Whitney and her husband, John of Ashland, N.H., Marilyn Lugner and her husband, Peter of Farmingdale and Nina Bowen and her husband, Will of Gilbert, Ariz.; and nephew, Kenneth Healey and his wife, Barbara of Dayville, Conn. She is also survived by eleven grand-nieces and nephews and their families, Miranda, Jared and Justin Schneider, Ted, Dennis and Kendra Levesque, Shane and Shawn Healey, Joshua and Samantha McNeil and Lucas Bowen. Further, she is survived by several cousins and close friends in the U.S. and abroad. She was predeceased by her niece, Jocelyn Healey; and her grand-niece Kimberly Schneider.

June’s family wishes to thank the staff of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the compassionate services they provided to June.

Condolences may be shared with her family at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

June Patricia Spear