June (Fine) Gordon, 88, of North Kingstown, RI, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025. Born on July 6, 1937, she was the devoted mother of three children: Andrew Gordon and his wife Kimberly Lennox of New York City, NY; Daniel Gordon and his wife Shoko Ogata of East Providence, RI; and Julie Gordon and her husband Scott Coughlin of Salem, MA. She also leaves behind her two sisters: her identical twin, Joan Turin, as well as her older sister, Ruth Handy. June was the proud grandmother of Anna Coughlin, Caroline Gordon, and Tal Lennox Gordon, and is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, David Gordon.
June grew up on Fine Farms in Attleboro, MA. Life on the farm instilled in her a strong work ethic, deep appreciation for learning, and a lasting sense of family. She worked on the farm throughout her youth, helping support her education until graduating from college.
June earned degrees from Boston University, Yeshiva University, and Rhode Island College. She became a dedicated teacher of both general and special education, spending more than three decades enriching the lives of students in Seekonk and Attleboro, MA. Passionate about inclusion, she created vocational programs including horticulture and culinary arts, wrote grants to support her students, and was a pioneer in bringing technology into special education classrooms. She worked closely with educators and industry leaders to build an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum that helped students receive the support and opportunities they deserved.
June lived in Seekonk for more than 40 years before retiring to North Kingstown, RI, where she spent the past 23 years and formed many close friendships. A fiercely independent and strong woman, June had boundless energy and lived life fully and actively. In her younger years, she loved traveling, biking, kayaking, tennis, and water aerobics. Later, she was often seen walking daily, determined to get her steps in. She was a voracious reader, ran a local book club, and enjoyed playing the piano, mahjong, and Mexican Train with friends.
June was known for her shocking humor and strong opinions—you never knew what she would say, but you always knew where you stood. She found joy in caring for others and was famous for urging friends and family to “Eat, eat, eat!”—a reflection of her love for sharing meals and time with the people she loved. She also had a passion for cleanliness and order, often spotted sweeping her walkway (“leaves didn’t stand a chance!”) or pushing one of her many vacuum cleaners.
June’s legacy as a compassionate mother, grandmother, teacher, friend, and advocate for children with special needs will continue to inspire all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the many students whose lives she touched.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel, 458 Hope Street, Providence. Burial will follow in Sinai Memorial Park, Warwick. The family will receive visitors from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. prior to the
service.
Those unable to attend in services may join via livestream at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83194950991?pwd=H3Ypac9nCdnszN8CzUIJfV816jNl0F.1 or by clicking the link below.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the June Gordon Memorial Scholarship, established in her honor through the Attleboro Scholarship Foundation. This annual scholarship will help support college tuition for students with special needs—continuing June’s lifelong dedication to inclusive education. Donations can be made payable to the Attleboro Scholarship Foundation, Inc. and sent to 89 North Main Street, P.O. Box 1666, Attleboro, MA 02703. Include “June Gordon” on the memo line. For condolences, please visit www.sugarmansinai.com.
