Obituary of June McDermott, 59

June “Mini” Lee McDermott, of Pine Grove Mills, Pa., passed away peacefully on August 19, 2016 in State College, Pa. at Mount Nittany Medical Center, following a seven year battle with cancer. She was 59. She is survived by her husband, Michael McDermott; her son and daughter- in­law, Michael

McDermott II and Jessica Dills McDermott; her daughter and fiancé, Cassandra McDermott and

Bradley Hodges; her niece and God­daughter Olivia Everhart; and her grandchildren, Noah

Washington and Natalie McDermott. She is also survived by her sister, Andrea Michaels and spouse

Bob Everhart; and siblings Mary Ellen and Paul Kohser, James and Kathy McDermott, Jack and Karen McDermott, Francis and Meg McDermott, Thomas and Carol McDermott, Kate McDermott, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved dogs, Presley and JJ.

Born December 19, 1956 of Wilmington, De., June was the daughter of late Arlie Lee and Doris June

Michaels, sister of late Thomas Michaels and JoAnn McDermott, and grandmother of late Matthew McDermott. The family’s matriarch, she was a loving grandmother and aunt, sister and mother, and her memory will be forever cherished by the countless lives she touched.

June embarked into nursing school in 1987 and was employed by Mount Nittany Medical Center shortly after her graduation for which she worked for 26 years, and was awarded Employee of the Year in 2015. She devoted her life to serving those around her.

Her smile and her laugh was infectious and her spirit, adventurous. June loved to travel with her family, making memories while exploring all the natural world could offer her. Her love for reading was something she shared with her daughter and many of her other family members. She loved to read on the beach with the sound of waves crashing in the background. She spent many summers at the Jersey shore and winters in Mexico where all trips included family and quality time.

June’s viewing will be held on August 24, 2016, from between 5:00 ­ 8:00 p.m., at Koch’s Funeral Home in State College, Pa, and her memorial service will be held the following day at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Deacon Joe Kain. At June’s request, please leave your darker wardrobe at home and please opt for bright and cheerful- ­just like June. Friends and family are encouraged to visit the American Legion in Centre Hall, Pa., following the service to celebrate. For more information, please call (814) 237­2712. Her family would like to thank all of those who have prayed and supported them throughout this recent time and throughout the past seven years.

June wished that even while their hearts were heavy, her family and friends celebrate her life instead of bearing the heavy weight of mourning. She was a light in darkness, forever reminding the world to find peace in pain, love in life’s defeats, and strength in life’s small blessings.