June Rose Ward

June Rose (Almueti) Ward died September 16, 2021, in Port Angeles, Washington, after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve, and her infant sister, Geraldine Almueti.

She was born June 8, 1945, in Niland, California, to Katherine and Andres Almueti. June and her three brothers spent their childhoods alternating between Oceanside and Niland, California, as their parents followed the tomato-packing industry. As a teenager, June was very successful at raising donations for the local Filipino community and won the title of Queen June the 1st for consecutive years.

She graduated from Calipatria Union High School in 1963 and explored working in the beautician and health-care fields.  Although she was pursued by a field of suitors, she soon met Steve Ward of El Centro, and they concluded their six-week whirlwind romance with a Las Vegas wedding on March 28, 1965. Steve and June later moved from El Centro, California, to the Olympic Peninsula, joining Steve’s retired parents. Their story-book marriage lasted 35 years, until Steve’s death in 2000. 

Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witness on May 8, 1967, June was an active member of the Sequim East Congregation. She was well known for hosting gatherings and providing cookie breaks for traveling and local ministers. Her faith was central to her life, and she enjoyed sharing her hope with everyone she met. She looked forward to being reunited with Steve in the earthly resurrection promised at Acts 24:15. 

In her younger years, she enjoyed skeet-shooting, camping, and fishing with Steve - often in Baja California. She designed custom wedding cakes for numerous weddings and was an accomplished seamstress.  She will be fondly remembered as a glowing hostess, often cooking traditional Filipino food for large parties and English specialties for summertime mother-daughter teas.  Later in her life, she enjoyed collecting antiques, including candlesticks and chandeliers (her collection is still being inventoried), baking excellent mile-high apple pies, and reading mystery novels. She was an avid gardener, specializing in her namesake, the rose.

As an empty-nester, June started a new career at a local optical shop, eventually becoming a certified optician, a profession she practiced for several years before retirement.  In her later years, she surprised her doctors by surviving two bouts of cancer while also battling a life-threatening autoimmune disorder. 

She is survived by her children, LeAna Beth Gloor of Pepe’ekeo, Hawai‘i, and Kenneth Andrew Ward of Portland, Oregon; her brothers Andy (Jr.) Maxwell Almueti of Eastover, North Carolina, John Wayne Almueti and Patricio Domingo (Mingo) Almueti, both of Niland, California; and four grandchildren, Amira & Isaac Gloor, and Andy & Alexa Ward. 

She was, and always will be, our Nani June.

Services to be held October 2nd online as follows:

Oct 2, 2021 1:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

https://jworg.zoom.us/j/83192743877

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