May 6, 1925 – June 8, 2022
June Crinkley passed away on June 8 in Bellingham, Washington after a brief illness. She was born in Fargo, North Dakota on 5/6/25. She and her husband Bob raised a family of three children and lived in many states (Minnesota, California, Washington, Colorado, Illinois).
Bob and June’s happiest time was on Orcas Island where they moved in 1979. Their son Bruce built their lovely home with a view of Eastsound and the surrounding islands. Bob and June both embraced the island life but were active in different ways. June was involved early on with the volunteer library even heading up the beloved fundraiser the library fair one year, and organizing the very popular book sale on many others. She enjoyed being an election official in Olga, regaling us with stories of starting up the woodstove and using sealing wax to secure the final ballots. June was also active with AAUW and sang alto for many years in the Choral Society where her music reading skills were greatly appreciated. She enjoyed exploring and learning about Orcas and the surrounding islands with the walking group, the Walkie Talkies. Bob and June had a lovely celebration of their 50-year marriage with many of their Orcas friends at Discovery House at Rosario in 1999. In her later years, June enjoyed the senior center’s chair yoga classes and monthly teas.
After Bob died in 2002, life got a bit tougher for June living alone on the island so she moved to Bellingham in 2004. Her heart, though, never left Orcas island. From her deck in Bellingham, she could look out on Orcas and always voted in San Juan County.
Whenever you read this, and whatever you are drinking, please raise your glass or cup to June Crinkley. She lived life to the fullest and stayed independent and in control until the end.
She is survived by her children Carolyn (Stu Loren), Bruce (Candace Carlucci), Trisha (Rich Hayes), 2 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
For those inclined, you can make a donation in her name to the San Juan Preservation Trust (sjpt.org)
