June Potter Dellinger

June Elizabeth Potter Dellinger, age 99, was born on October 27, 1923, in Gilpin, Pennsylvania. June died on September 24, 2023, in her home of 75 years in Falls Church, VA, surrounded by family. She was the loving mother of Karen Dellinger, Susan Hatch (Patrick), Rex Dellinger, Carol Robinette (Bill), and Alison Meadows; loving grandmother to Elizabeth Usher (Tony), Megan Meadows (Justin), William Robinette - known as BJ, Mollie Robinette, Alex Robinette, Nikki Naughton (Andy), Ashley Claure (Dellinger); and a great grandmother to Michael and Connor Naughton. She is survived by her brothers Jim (Patty) and Richard, and sisters Patricia and Sally, as well as many other family members, friends, and neighbors. June was born to Harry and Clara Stull Potter.

June grew up during the depression in a large family. She was the oldest girl with brothers surrounding her. She was a tomboy and played softball (a pitcher), including in a boy’s league. Fond memories shared of her growing up years included dancing, and sports. She told us stories of taking an old boat out on the river where she had to bail it out constantly to keep it from sinking. She was an excellent student who excelled in math. Though she always dreamed of going to college, that remained an unrealized goal.

June left her hometown for Washington, DC in 1941 as World War II was starting. She has many wonderful memories of working in DC during the war years at the Pentagon. She worked for a government contractor who ran all cafeterias in the Pentagon. She was hired into Human Resources/Payroll and quickly worked her way up in a variety of positions, using her excellent math aptitude. She often shared memories of living in a boarding house on Lincoln Park and the frequent air raid sirens that went off. During the war, she volunteered with the USO, attended many dances for service members, and regularly wrote letter and read to wounded soldiers at Walter Reed hospital.

After the war ended, June met her husband Hugh Andrew Dellinger, who had returned from serving in the war as a member of the Army Rangers. They were married on February 9, 1946, and in 1948, bought the house that she lived in for the rest of her life in Falls Church, VA. After her second child, June became a stay-at-home mom, involved in all activities including scout den mother/troop leader, team mom for various youth sports leagues, PTA, and many other civic and school activities. She loved playing bridge, flower gardening, and was an excellent cook and baker. Her homemade bread and rolls are legendary! June knew how to make a house a home with not much money. She learned to upholster furniture, sew clothes, do household repairs and paint. She never met a surface that didn’t need a fresh coat of paint. Her children are quite certain that the house on Rogers Drive will be here for the next 500 years since each room is being held up by all the coats of paint she insisted on.

Later in life, June started her working career over as a dental assistant, learning to be a hygienist, and taking over the practice's financial accounting. From there, she moved into an administrative role with the RH Nicholson Insurance Company and quickly worked her way up to an agent. She retired from working to care for her grandchildren. June’s husband, Hugh Dellinger died in August 1984.

The lessons June left for her family were many. She grew up poor but as she said later, never realized it! You can have fun and make do with so much less than people seem to need today. She was a caregiver and straight-shooter. She made mistakes in her own life and often gave advice to her children and grandchildren so they would learn from her experiences and not repeat them. She loved talking to and engaging with people of all ages and was young-at-heart. Above all, she just wanted her family to be happy and well and stay connected.

We will have a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, October 3 between 4pm - 7pm at Murphy's Funeral Home in Falls Church, VA. Family and friends who attend should feel free to honor June and her family by wearing informal, bright clothes to reflect June's zest for life! In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Purple Heart Foundation (https://purpleheartfoundation.org/donate) or Goodwin Living Foundation - Hospice (https://goodwinliving.org/giving/donation-form-hospice).

A memorial service for June will be held Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-fh.com for the Dellinger family.