She was a loving mother and found great joy in sharing stories with her grandchildren of her humble beginnings as the daughter of a New Orleans fireman and working in her mother's corner neighborhood grocery. As a devoted Catholic, she was proud and thankful to be the only child of six that was able to attend Catholic school and participate in the Girl Scouts of America. With her kind heart and sense of humor, she was able to endear herself to all those she met.
She married Joseph Downey on April 1, 1951, at the age of 17 in New Orleans and moved to San Clemente, California until her husband was discharged the following year from the United States Marine Corps Reserve. She then returned home to New Orleans to raise her family. After several years of marriage, she began working for Sears Roebuck and Co. and eventually retired in the early 90s. Shortly after retirement and after 43 years of marriage, Joe unexpectedly passed away. He was the love of her life. She went on to live a modest, quiet life selflessly doting on her family and helping to care for her grandchildren. She was a longtime parishioner of Divine Mercy Catholic Church.
June is survived by her daughters, Janet M. Downey and Cheryl D. LaBorde (Gary); son, Edward J. Downey (Carolyn); grandchildren, John Stovall (April), Michael Stovall, Kaitlyn Tykhonovyska (Gregorii), Lauren D. Sanchez, Elizabeth Downey, Phillip LaBorde (Anne-Marie), and Patrick LaBorde; great grandchildren, Keagan Downey, Joseph Stovall, Hailey LaBorde, and James LaBorde; and sister, Althea Leche.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Eugene Downey; parents, August Joseph Mura and Helen Violet McIntyre; sister, Audrey Saltalamacchia (Anthony); brothers, August J. Mura (Helen), Robert J. Mura (Rosemary), and Edward F. Mura (Lois); and brother-in-law, Norman Leche.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 4337 Sal Lentini Pkwy, in Kenner on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10 AM with a Funeral Mass following at 12 PM. June will be laid to rest in Lake Lawn Park immediately after the church service has concluded.
