Obituary: June Whant

Wife to Ray (who died on 14th April this year), much loved sister to Desmond, mother to Stuart, mother-in-law to Tracey and grandmother to Nick, Tom and Beanie, June passed away peacefully at Hungerford Care Home after battling a series of strokes and other illnesses.

Following the end of the Second World War she and her family moved from West Hartlepool to Lockeridge. Her father (Harold Noble) took the Head Master position at the school (now Kennet Valley School) aided by his wife Lilian.

Her brother Desmond joined the local police force and June took up a role as PA to the owner of a local construction company. She then became the temporary receptionist and manager at the Aylesbury Arms Hotel, Marlborough. A role that she kept for over 20 years!

June was always proud of the fact that she was voted carnival queen of Marlborough in the late 50’s and always took great care in her appearance throughout her life.

In 1955 June married Ray at St Michael’s Church, West Overton. She told tales of being attracted to him not least by his amazing dancing ability. During their courting years they travelled on Ray’s BSA motorbike following the Swindon Speedway team. June often fell asleep on the back of the motorbike on the way home!

June gave birth to their only child, Stuart in 1958 at Savernake Hospital. The family lived together above the now demolished Marlborough College Laundry in Pewsey Road. This proved a wonderful playground for Stuart and his friends who all have many childhood memories of antics in the laundry, its grounds and the nearby River Kennet. Many ending up with a stern word from June.

Eventually leaving her ‘temporary’ position, when the Aylesbury Arms changed hands, she spent a period of time working in The Vine Boutique before joining the team at Marlborough College Laundry (with Ray taking on the role of boss as well as husband).

They retired to St Michael’s Cottages, George Lane living amongst a friendly community of mainly ex-college employees. 

June along with Ray followed their love of dancing from ballroom dancing exams and competitions, including at the Royal Albert Hall, to local demonstrations spending their latter years Scottish dancing at Manton Village Hall.

June’s health sadly deteriorated around three years ago and following a period of time at Highfield Residential Home, Marlborough she moved into nursing care in Hungerford’s Brighterkind home where she was reunited with Ray who was by then wrestling with dementia.

Following their life together June will shortly, once again, be reunited with Ray in their joint grave in Marlborough cemetery. She will be much missed by all of her family and friends.  

The funeral will take place on Friday 17 July at 1.30pm, the cortege passing along the High Street and past the Town Hall shortly beforehand en route to the cemetery on The Common, thus allowing anyone to pay respect at a distance. A celebration of June’s life will follow later when conditions allow.