It is with great sadness that I note the passing of June Randolph yesterday at the age of 101. June was an iconic figure in the Town of Occoquan whose contributions to the town were legion and stretched over half a century.
June moved to Occoquan in 1954 after serving in the FBI prior to World War II and then during the war joining the U.S. Navy as a member of the then newly-established WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). During her time in Occoquan June served as Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Town Council member, member of the Architectural Review Board, member and Chair of the Planning Commission, and Town Mayor (1962-1963). In 1989 the town declared April 15 June Randolph Day and made her honorary Town Sargeant with the result that June had then served in every office existing in the Town of Occoquan at that time. She was also a founding board member in 1969 of the Occoquan Historical Society, served as its first president, and played a major role in securing items for the Mill House Museum collection. Her service as an Historical Society board member was continuous from its founding until just a few years ago.
Among her many accomplishments on behalf of the town, June is widely considered to have been instrumental in Occoquan's rebirth into a popular commercial and tourist destination. In 1961 the Town Council created the Planning Commission and June served as its first chair. It was a position she held for several decades and one during which the Planning Commission drew up the town's zoning ordinances, which were amended in 1971 to include the historic area zoning that resulted in the establishment of the Architectural Review Board. A late council member and fellow planning commissioner more than 30 years ago characterized June as the key person in producing a Comprehensive Plan for Occoquan that recognized a variety of development needs. As Occoquan transitioned into a new development period after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Agnes in 1972, a late mayor who served with her credited June's "sense of fairness and diplomacy in helping reconcile" the differences among residents regarding how Occoquan should grow into the future. Two of the accomplishments of which June was most proud were the acquisition of the church on Mill Street in the 1960s for use as the Town Hall and the creation in the late 1970s of Mamie Davis Park.
For her many contributions the Town of Occoquan has chosen on a number of occasions to honor June. In addition to June Randolph Day in 1989, in 1991 the Town Council named the Town Hall after June (an honor she asked not be implemented while she was alive). At its gala celebration in 2009, June was one of several living WWII veterans of the town honored. Finally, in 2010 the town presented June with its Volunteer Award in recognition of a lifetime of service to Occoquan.
While interacting with June one could not help but be impressed by her kindness, work ethic, sense of humor, and firmness of commitment. It was a privilege to know her. She will be both missed and unmatched.
June did not wish for a formal funeral and the family has indicated that her ashes will be buried in New Hampshire with her late husband. Please join me in reflecting on the life and legacy of service of this wonderful individual.
