June O. Cordrey's Obituary
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of June O. Cordrey (née Newbey) who died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday the 26th of October, 2023 at the grand age of 88, after a lifetime packed with love, laughter, family and adventure, along with copious amounts of tea.
Born the 18th of June, 1935 in London, England, June was the only child of May and Terence Gennane Newbey. When World War II broke out, like a lot of children of the Blitz, June spent the war years in a small country town called Frome in Somerset, England. At the conclusion of the war and on her return to London, June developed dancing skills. With her never ending smile, bubbly personality and ability to entertain packed audiences, June began a successful career on the stage performing in theatre chorus lines and as part of a cabaret act called 'Merle and Marie'. In the mid 1950's, June became one of the first dance instructors at the Arthur Murray School of Dancing in Leicester Square, London specializing in Latin-American dance.
June soon met her lifelong husband - Donald A. Cordrey - and married the 11th of January, 1958 in London. At that time the couple were both working as instructors at Arthur Murray. After six weeks of marriage, the couple grabbed an opportunity to teach dance at an Arthur Murray School in Bermuda. They also were hired as professional dancers on the Queen Mary luxury liner for transatlantic crossings.
June and Don had two children, Donna born the 6th of June, 1962 and David, born the 29th of April, 1964. With June devoting her time to raising the couple's children, Don changed career paths to the insurance industry and became a sought after executive. The family moved to Jamaica for Don's work and later to Pacific Palisades, California in the early 1970's. The family returned to England in 1972 after Don was recruited to a senior managerial position at Continental Insurance in London.
The Cordreys spent the better part of the 1970's in Twickenham, England but ultimately decided to emigrate permanently to California in 1981, settling in Orange County, California for a number of years until moving later in life, to a golf course home in San Marcos, California.
After retirement Don pursued his lifetime battle with his beloved golf clubs. Don and June also continued to travel extensively around the world pursuing their other passion - cruising. Trips around the world included Australia, Thailand, Fiji, Singapore, Egypt, South America and many more. The couple were inseparable until Don sadly passed in 2017 from cancer - 59 years of marriage and memories - just short of their Diamond 60 year wedding anniversary.
June spent the last 5 years of her life as a resident of St Petersburg, Florida. She was fortunate to find a four legged companion - a rescue dog called Janie, whom she doted on daily. June and Janie could often be seen strolling along the waterfront community together.
June struggled with COPD in her later years but she spent a lifetime filled with great friends, giving endless amounts of love, providing countless laughs and touching everyone she came into contact with. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends around the world.
June will be buried at Memorial Park in St. Petersburg, Florida on Tuesday the 7th of November at a quiet family gathering. She will be buried concurrently with the ashes of her beloved mother May and devoted husband Don - together forever.
A celebration of life reception for friends will take place on Sunday the 12th of November at Westminster Shores.
June loved children and to travel the world, in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made in any amount to UNICEF, a charity working in 190 countries to save lives and provide other urgent relief - https://www.unicefusa.org/?form=donate
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