ALTAMONT — June Brown McNiven — who served as a nurse in World War II and was devoted to her family — died on Friday, June 23, 2017, in Ogunquit, Maine, one day shy of her 100th birthday.

Born on June 24, 1917 in Geneva, New York, she was a longtime resident of Altamont and then Ogunquit. She grew up in Geneva but went to live in a children’s home in Canandaigua, New York in 1927, along with her two younger siblings.

“Her mother visited often and June had fond memories of this time,” her family wrote in a tribute.

The two most important things in her life were her family and her military service, her family wrote.

“ June will be remembered as a fun-loving woman with a positive attitude and a big heart. She loved nothing better than to visit with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed meeting her children’s friends who will fondly remember the jokes she loved to tell.

“She always had time to listen and was a loyal friend. June was a mother figure to many, opening her home to Spanish and German foreign-exchange students and others. Everyone felt blessed to have had her in their lives.”

She was very proud to serve in World War II. She was sent to the Pacific Theater as a nurse in the Army Nurse Corps in 1942, stationed mostly outside Sydney, Australia. While traveling on the troopship going to Australia, she met her future husband, a pilot. They married two years later.

“June was thrilled with her recent honor of being inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame,” her family wrote.

While raising her family, June worked for a number of years as a nurse at Brady Hospital and then Guilderland Junior High School.

She was a long-time member and supporter of the Altamont Reformed Church, volunteering much of her time during the annual Altamont Fair.

In the 1960s, she and her husband began to vacation in Ogunquit, Maine, eventually making it their summer residence. For many years, they wintered in New Port Richey, Florida where she loved acting and singing in variety shows.

“A truly amazing woman, she stopped playing golf at 95 but still was a prolific reader, kept up on current events, played bridge and worked crossword puzzles into her 99th year.”

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June Brown McNiven is survived by her children, Linda and Jay Twombly of New Canaan, Connecticut, Gail and Dale Ganott of Stanardsville, Virginia, Roy (Sandy) and Becky McNiven of Amherst, Massachusetts, Robert and Nancy McNiven of Altamont, Scott and Amy McNiven of Fairport, New York, John and Diane McNiven of Selkirk, New York; 16 grandchildren and their spouses; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Roy McNiven, died before her.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Altamont Reformed Church on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, Post Office Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 or to the Altamont Reformed Church, 129 Lincoln Ave., Altamont, NY 12009.