ORANGE

June Ann Chng, 78, of Orange, MA passed away unexpectedly on February 19, 2024, while being cared for at St. Vincent Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in Worcester. Born June Ann Manter on March 6, 1945, in Clinton, MA, she was the only child of George T and Ada “Barbara” Manter (Heeley). For most of her life, June knew Barbara and Lawrence “Larry” R Foster as her parents after her mother remarried. She had a stepsister, Carolyn L Ansari (Manter) of Orange, CA, and two stepbrothers, David Manter of Denver, CO and Brian R Foster of Murphy, NC. She is survived by her two children, Greg and Carol Chng, and one grandchild, Phoenix Chuang, who she shared with her husband Khee Meng Chng, as well as her cherished cat, Gizmo, all of Melrose, MA.

Loved by and devoted to her family, June would think of them dearly throughout her life, cooking pasta dinners as a favorite meal for her son, making a prom dress by hand into the night for her daughter, and being in the delivery room for the birth of her grandson. June cared for her parents as their health waned, and most recently sent weekly cheer-up cards and warm clothes to her husband in the hospital, even when her own health made it difficult. She was also a caring friend and neighbor, glad to share laughs and a good meal together.

June knew she wanted to go into medicine after experiencing the loss of her father at a young age, so became a Licensed Practical Nurse after attending a private catholic high school in Maine. She dedicated her career to working in emergency rooms, group homes for the disabled, and as a visiting nurse to the homebound. June thrived in this work where she could make a difference at critical times in people’s lives and was a natural advocate for those who needed one. In later years, she worked as an Emergency Medical Technician, responding by ambulance to 911 calls. Her dedication allowed her to help others in a way she found to be fulfilling and tangible.

Throughout her life, June loved nature and animals, preferring to live surrounded by trees, grass and her family of pets rather than being in a crowd. She also loved art, appreciating the painting, drawing, writing and music of others as well as expressing herself through drawing, painting, crafts and jewelry. She had a full and adventurous life, primarily in New England but also living and working in Charleston, SC and Singapore.

June will be missed deeply and remembered fondly as a strong, caring and feisty mum, grandma, friend, neighbor, nurse and EMT. Please help celebrate her life and legacy by joining us graveside for an 11am memorial service on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the South Berlin Cemetery, Pleasant Street, Berlin, MA. To honor her lifelong caring for animals, June's family respectfully request memorial donations be made to MSPCA (www.mspca.org )

Arrangements are under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. For online condolences or directions please visit: www.haysfuneralhome.com