June Sullivan

A celebration honoring the memory of June Sullivan is planned for November 19, from noon to 2 p.m., at the barn adjacent to St. John’s Park near the corner of College and Engineer Streets in Corbin.

A native of Gray, June Sullivan spent many years in Corbin real estate, before retiring and marrying the love of her life, Ed. The two enjoyed decades of adventures, travel, and community before his death in 2013.

She tirelessly, defiantly, and enthusiastically outlived the initial prognosis forecast for pulmonary fibrosis when she was diagnosed more than a decade ago, and made a substantial dent in the prognosis for the equally rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor that ultimately took her from us (the “Steve Jobs kind”).

Undeterred and undaunted by living with a terminal illness, she and her oxygen trolley were a familiar site in Corbin — fundraising for the church she and Ed devoted themselves to, at lunch with her fellow Red Hat ladies, or volunteering at the animal shelter, among other favorite charities.

She was a widow, a mom, a church volunteer, and a member of the Red Hat Society. Her bourbon balls were the envy of five states, and the entire Tri-County area competed to land an invitation to her annual Santa Brunches. At every potluck (and there were many), her dishes were the first to disappear. Her crock-pot was never empty.

She is survived by two “adult” children — Rhonda and Russ. Throughout their childhood (many years ago), she was everyone’s favorite St. Camillus homeroom mother, Scout troop leader, and carpool driver for field trips, soccer, and tennis matches.

She is also survived by brother Don Sullivan with sister-in-law Helen Higgins Sullivan (Gray KY); brother Bob Sullivan with sister-in-law Margie Parker Sullivan (Birmingham); a sister, Alma Kuiper (Grand Rapids); and many loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

She leaves behind another daughter (of the heart) Linda, and granddaughter (of the heart) Emma, who loved their Nana June beyond measure and made her proud every day.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Nellie Sullivan, also of Gray.

In her memory, the family asks that you take every possible opportunity to deliver a nice pot of soup or chili or a delicious casserole to someone who’s sick or in need. Once they recover, take them some bourbon balls.

The memorial is scheduled for Saturday, November 19, from noon to 2 p.m. All friends and family are welcome to attend who are willing to wear red and purple (in honor of her Red Hat ladies), and/or any Santa themed apparel.

The Memorial Santa Brunch will be followed by interment of the ashes at the columbarium.

Memorial donations may be made to the Roy VanGorder Fund at the Knox Whitley Animal Shelter, in memory of June and Ed VanGorder. (Checks may be mailed to: VanGorder Fund/ Knox Whitley Animal Shelter / PO Box 417  / Corbin KY 40702.)