Loretta June (Arnold) Wolff, 87, Independence, MO, passed away July 31, 2020, surrounded by lots of love and gratitude. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 7, at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery in Kansas City.
June was born on the DeWitt family farm near Nevada, MO, June 12, 1933, to John and Catherine Arnold. Determined not to go into farming herself, June worked as a waitress at the age of 13 until graduating from Kansas City’s Northeast High School in 1951. She had a 30-year career as a secretary for the Montgomery Ward legal and accounts payable departments.
At the age of 50, June decided to follow her dreams and learn to fly. She earned her pilot’s license with private and commercial single-engine ratings. She wanted to share her passion for flying with others; so, she became a basic and advanced ground school instructor for Baker Aviation at the Municipal Airport in downtown Kansas City. She joined the Greater Kansas City chapter of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots, serving one term as its president. June and her dear friend and fellow pilot Donna Burrows took the chapter’s Air Bear program for many years to local elementary schools and libraries to introduce children to the joys of flying and to encourage girls to be pilots. Each young student had the chance to sit at an instrument panel for a simulated trip to Disney World and learn to “fly an airplane.” June clearly enjoyed it as much as the students.
June is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Chuck, sister Bonnie Sue Carson, and sister-in-law Judy Arnold. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Brys Martin of Independence, brother David Arnold of Lee’s Summit, niece Linda (Frank) Merrick, nephews Mark and Eric (Leslie) Arnold, and grand-nephew and nieces Nick Meador, Erin Meador, Marie Arnold and Laura Arnold.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, 233 North Terrace Street, Atchison, KS 66002 or online through www.ninety-nines.org/donation.htm.
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