June Leslie Mitchell, 86

June Leslie Mitchell, 86, of Dalton Gardens, lost her brave battle with cancer on Aug. 23, 2015, while visiting family in Walla Walla, Wash. She was born to Walter Callaway and Violet Webb on Feb. 17, 1929, in Boston, Mass. At the age of 17, June came west to Spokane, but never lost her Boston accent. Everywhere she went, people would always ask, "Where are you from?"

In 1960, June married the first love of her life, Virgel Mitchell. They moved to Walla Walla where she completed nursing school. June worked for the VA Hospital as an LPN both there and also in Miami, Fla., until she retired. June and Virgel returned to Post Falls in 1976 where they lived until Virgel's death in 1997. June then met Henry Buchannon. They enjoyed 15 years together in Dalton Gardens. Henry and June traveled the country spending winters in Texas and Arizona and taking cruises to Alaska and Panama.

June had many hobbies and interests throughout her years which included bowling, reading, sewing, quilting, knitting, beadwork and gardening. Her beautiful flowers won blue ribbons in the North Idaho Fair. In the early '80s, June joined the McGuire Mother's Club. This group made quilts and lap robes for various charities, including the VA Hospital. June continued to sew until her journey's end.

June will be incredibly missed by her many friends and especially by her family, including her son, David Mitchell, her daughters, Judi Collins and Pat Crowe, all of Walla Walla; daughter Jill Lamb of Hauser, Idaho; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Virgel Mitchell; son Brian Blackhurst and loving companion Henry Buchannon.

At June's request, there will be no formal services held. A family gathering will lay her to rest next to Virgel at the Pleasant View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it would honor June's memory to make a donation in her name to the Kootenai Humane Society.