June (Ellis) DeFarias, of Warwick, wife of the late James McKenna and Joseph DeFarias passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Kent Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Somerville, MA on June 10, 1922 to the late Jennie L. (Campbell) and William H. Ellis. She was raised in the Boston area, then moved to North Attleboro as a young bride and new mother. Widowed at age twenty-two, June studied in Boston to become an X-Ray Technician. Once licensed, she went to work for the VA Hospital in Providence, where she meet the second love of her life. In 1952, she remarried, settled in Warwick, and created a home where one and all were graciously welcomed. She was the glue and the strength of the family. Sixty-five years later and in the same home, the Welcome Mat remains in place. For many years June worked in the X-Ray Department at Kent (County) Hospital where she was greatly respected and loved. In turn, she felt the same way about her co-workers. Always possessing a thirst for knowledge, June was a lifelong learner. Her interests were many and varied. She especially loved to sew and was considered to be a master seamstress. However, later in life she thoroughly enjoyed line dancing and was proud of her ability to dance into her nineties.
A devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she is survived by her daughter: Karen McKenzie (Donald) of Warwick, two sons: Michael DeFarias (Laura Clark) of Hope Valley and Mark DeFarias (Catherine) of Swansea, MA; six grandchildren: Joseph DeFarias (Lyndsey), Matthew DeFarias, Jordan DeFarias, Lucas DeFarias, Kristine Wilkinson (Raymond) and Katherine McKenzie (Mark Hamel); and four great-grandsons: Andrew, Benjamin and Ryan Wilkinson and Riley McKenzie Hamel. She is also survived by her brother, Gordon Ellis of Plainville, MA and many nieces and nephews. June was preceded in death by her step-father: John Weatherbee; her brothers: William, Raymond, Loren and Herbert Ellis; and her sister: Florence Rhynard.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Sunday, March 19, 2017 from Noon – 3 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service from 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. in the Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Ave., Warwick.
Private burial will be held at a later date. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org.
In lieu of flowers, gifts made in her memory to: Kent Hospital Foundation, 455 Tollgate Road, Warwick, RI 02886 or VNA Care of New England, 51 Health Lane, Warwick RI 02886 will be greatly appreciated.
