June Ellen Pulcini

Born in the spring of 1940 in Pomona, California, June E. Davisson was raised in Glendora, California. She attended La Verne College where she studied Musicology and later married Ronald P. Pulcini in 1962 after graduating. Shortly after getting married, Ron and June both signed up to join International Voluntary Services (IVS), an organization similar to the Peace Corps. They were sent to live in Vietnam from September 1963 to December 1963 and when the Vietnam War escalated, June was evacuated to Hong Kong where she lived for three months while Ron continued serving in Vietnam. When Ron joined up with June in Hong Kong, they decided to stay on with IVS and were then sent to Laos near the end of 1963. Their daughter, Andrea was born in Thailand in 1965. The family lived together in Laos until returning to the United States in June 1970 where they settled in Hermosa Beach, California. Ron and June divorced shortly after returning back to the United States.

In 1971, June met Marvin May, an inventor and toy maker who had a daughter named Melody who was the same age as Andrea. June helped Marvin establish a business based on his inventions of “Quick Tuckers” that held flat sheets in place and “Tuck-a-Liner” which were necessary in keeping the liner up to the edge of waterbeds. In the early 1970’s, waterbeds were at the height of their popularity in the world and June and Marvin’s company “Tite Nites”, thrived for many years. During this time, June stayed active with International Voluntary Services, traveling to Washington D.C. where she served on its Board of Directors.

After retiring from the waterbed industry, both June and Marvin traveled extensively throughout the world and June continued to stay very active in politics and in the countries of Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia). June played a huge role in assisting to end the Embargo on Vietnam and traveled many times to all three countries (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) throughout the years as well as traveling to Tibet (before it closed its borders), Peru and even a tour of Odessa in the Ukraine to visit the birthplace of Marvin May’s heritage. June was a fierce advocate for world peace, environmentalism, saving the oceans and a humanitarian as well. After Marvin’s death in 2015 June became ill with a broken heart and never recovered.

June Pulcini leaves many, many friends and family behind who loved and admired her. She was always helping refugees from Vietnam as well as many friends from Laos who found their way to the United States in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. June was larger than life and will be missed by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be planned in the spring and we will be taking June’s and Marvin’s ashes out to sea, together as they wished. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in her memory.

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