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| June R. Grace |
The Concord Band honors the memory of our beloved band member, June Grace, who passed away in May.
June graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and was a public health nurse for the city of Pittsburgh. June met her spouse, Buck, while in school and the couple initially settled in Pittsburgh. After moving to Concord, June worked with the Sudbury Public Health Nursing Association as a school nurse, eventually becoming the Executive Director. After earning a Master of Science degree from Boston University School of Nursing, she worked with the Visiting Nurse Association of the South Shore, then with the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Central Massachusetts as the Vice President of Planning and Development. She was instrumental in opening Central Massachusetts’ first impatient hospice, The Rose Monahan Hospice Home.
June’s interests in writing, music, spirituality, gardening, and reading inspired pursuits ranging from singing in church choir to playing flute in community bands, both in Pittsburgh and Concord. In line with her passion for serving the community, June devoted thousands of volunteer hours to the Rotary Club of Concord as well as the Concord Band.
Recently, June received the highest honor given by Rotary International, the Service Above Self Award, recognizing her dedication promoting two Rotary global grants in Haiti and Kenya, along with her skills as an active volunteer, webmaster, public relations and social media chair, and volunteer extraordinaire for fundraisers.
When June relinquished her position as Treasurer she joined the Board of what is now 51 Walden, the custodial organization for the administration of the Performing Arts Center. In 2011, June received the Concord Band's highest recognition, the Lifetime Service Award.
June reminisced that “I converted my husband Buck, who had spent 23 years in the audience, from a fan to a player,” and the Concord Band became an interest they enjoyed together. Of her time with the Concord Band, she said, “It has been an honor to work behind the scenes for the Band. In so doing, one appreciates how much thought, dedication and time it takes to keep the organization running smoothly. The Concord Band is the ideal community organization: friendly, involved musicians playing under superb leaders.... I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of it.”
Music Director Emeritus Dr. William McManus remembers, "One of the great joys of conducting a community band is to work with people like June Grace. That is, to work with people who enjoy making music with likeminded musicians, who are dedicated and work hard to ensure the success of the band, who are always prepared for rehearsals and concerts, and who are supportive of and a friend to other members of the band. During my years as Music Director of the Concord Band, June consistently displayed all of these qualities and many more. She was truly a joy to know and to work with!"
Music Director James O'Dell recalls, "June was a sparkling gem. With her infectious bright smile and enthusiasm for making music, she always offered her very best at rehearsals, concerts, and other events. My proximity to the flutes (which are seated in the first row near the conductor), made it impossible not to feel her positive energy and joy of playing the flute. After retiring from the band June often commented how much she enjoyed listening to the band from the audience and supporting her friends and colleagues from a lifetime of making music. June and husband Buck, their dedication and many contributions to the Concord Band, will be dearly missed."
