June K. Ferrara, 81 of Oakhurst, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8th at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune.
Born June Krickett in Newark to Virginia Wells and Joseph Cipriano, she moved to the shore area as a young girl. She was a 1957 graduate of Asbury Park High School, where she met her love, Theodore “Eddie” Ferrara.
Throughout her life, June was the very picture of glamour and breathtaking beauty, and her trademark hair turned heads wherever she went.
She was a wonderful cook, and holidays in her home were always an event. During their life together, June and Eddie were known for hosting huge holiday parties for dozens of family and friends. These gatherings were especially memorable for their creative games, hand-made favors, and decorations so elaborate that guests would often use them as backdrops for their annual Christmas cards. People would often ask for the date of the next party well in advance, so as to avoid missing it. And if it was your birthday, you’d find yourself a contestant on June’s home-made version of “Let’s Make a Deal,” complete with props, prizes, booby prizes, and her inimitable hosting talents delighting everyone in the room.
For their entire marriage, June was Eddie’s “right hand” for everything he needed – work, home projects, clothes, doctor appointments – “Junie” ran it all. She also enjoyed shopping for her family and viewed as a personal triumph her ability to stretch every dollar to its absolute limit.
June was also a woman of many surprising talents. Although not everyone was aware of it, she was quite a gifted writer. She would often write poems for the most special people in her life. At times sentimental and other times funny and witty, her poems were always beautiful and touched the heart.
June looked forward to her weekly visits from her grandson, whom she considered one of her greatest blessings. She also loved getting multiple phone calls each day from her daughter, sometimes just to say “I love you,” as well as going out with her for frequent lunches and shopping trips filled with laughter and love.
June would relish visits from her beloved son and daughter-in-law, as well as her brother and cousins. She would often plan and prepare their favorite meals in advance to be sure that she made everything as special as it could be.
June lived her life by the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would want done unto you. Her traditions will continue with the extraordinary family of which she was the matriarch.
June was pre-deceased by her husband, Theodore “Eddie” Ferrara, in 2012.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl Grasso and Paul Cipriani, Farmingdale; her son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Francine Ferrara, Orlando, FL; her grandson, Christopher Grasso, Eatontown; her brother Harry Betz, Albuquerque, NM.
June’s family is planning a memorial service in late December, dependent upon any then-current COVID restrictions. Announcements will be made in this space in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to American Liver Foundation (www.liverfoundation.org).
To share a favorite memory or send a message of condolence please visit June’s page of tributes at www.woolleyboglioli.com.