June I. Webster

June I. (Milanese) Webster passed on to her eternal life on Friday, March 22, 2024 in Wakefield, RI at age 98, just shy of her 99th birthday. Born on April 2, 1925 to Angelo and Kathryn (Perry) Milanese, June grew up in Rockville, CT.

June was the loving wife of the late Donald E. Webster for 62 years, raising three children together: Donna L. Laurie and her husband Peter G. III of Narragansett, RI; William S. Webster of Westport, MA; and Jennie L. Ludvigsen and her husband Marten of Wakefield, RI.

June met the love of her life at the Methodist church in Wakefield during a visit to her cousin’s hometown. Shortly thereafter, they married and started their family while living in places such as Cape Cod, MA, and Hope Valley, RI before settling back where it all began in South Kingstown, RI. June was instrumental in Donald’s career as a funeral director for 45 years in every town they lived in. Donald and June were the owners of the Avery-Webster Funeral Home in Wakefield, RI for over 18 years before retiring.

June enjoyed her many hobbies, all of which always benefitted family and friends. She was a proud homemaker, and loved painting and wallpapering each room to look their best. She was famous for her sewing abilities, along with, of course, her cooking! There were Thanksgivings with endless courses, gingerbread cookies year-round for the grandkids, Sunday family lunches with Billy, Donna and Jennie and any grandkids who strolled in, and annual Christmas cookie plates to family and friends. Another of June’s passions was gardening, and if she wasn’t standing in the kitchen, she was happily outdoors with her wheelbarrow by her side and her hands in the dirt. Her gardens were abundant and a beautiful thing to behold.

After retiring with Don, they loved to travel with Don’s brother Bill and his companion Marguerite, including trips to Italy and Alaska. After Don’s passing, June would go on many adventures with her long-time close friends Irene Smith and Dot Kraines. Their favorite annual trek was to Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic, CT. When June’s knees and hips would no longer cooperate and yard work was no longer possible, you could faithfully find June in her sunroom knitting hats, mittens, and baby sweaters for family and friends, along with donating hats to South County Hospital and the Providence Mission. She was an avid reader as well, and enjoyed watching the birds and her squirrel friends from her sunroom. Her sunroom was also where she would write cards and notes with words of wisdom to hand out when you least expected it! We have been very blessed to have called you Mom, Gramma and G-Ma. You will be missed “JuneBug” “Junie Milanayzee”.

June was a long-time member of The Narragansett Baptist Church.

Along with her children, June leaves behind her much-loved grandchildren: Peter Laurie IV and his wife Michelle, Andrew Laurie and his wife Danielle, Hillary Parker, Cameron Webster and his girlfriend Jamie, Brindalyn Chen and her husband Alex, Paige Ludvigsen and Lila Ludvigsen; her great-grandchildren Julee-Ann, Peter V., Joe, Levi, Iris, Wallace, Angelo and Bernadette; and great-great-grandchildren Carson and Cora-Lee; as well as her brother, Douglas Milanese of Eastford, CT and many nieces and nephews. Along with her husband, June was pre-deceased by her great-granddaughter Ivy Lee Laurie; and her brother and sister-in-law Harry and Barbara Milanese.

At June’s request, there will be no formal services. A private burial will take place in New Fernwood cemetery in Kingston, RI. If desired, memorial donations may be made to The Narragansett Baptist Church, 305 Kingstown Road, Narragansett RI 02882; or Animal Rescue RI, P.O. Box 458, Wakefield, RI 02880, as both church and animals were two of the many things that she cherished.