Our Enduring Opinion

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We Remember June Rouse
By Guy & Jeanne Spiro

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We are fortunate in this world when our lives cross with those who make us better humans just for having known them. We are fortunate indeed to have loved and worked with such a soul. Many of you know that June Rouse, our editor and conscience for the past 12 years, was very ill with cancer this past year. Her physical body faded, but her light did not. She was such a part of the magazine for so long that her presence will always be felt.

June started at the magazine in 1990 when it was still published in our house. A friend recommended her to us at a time when we needed an editor. She continually strove for excellence even to the point of sometimes making us crazy. She was there when the kids were sick, when they started school in the fall, when they spent the summers underfoot. She put up with their sticky fingerprints on the keyboard. She was a part of their growing up.

In today's world June was almost a little naive. She saw the good in every person and situation. She did not gossip or relish hearing it. She was genuinely happy to hear of any success, big or small. She was in your corner to cheer on any new dream or endeavor.

June was in possession of a great intellect. She used to joke that she had taken enough classes to earn several doctorate degrees. We will miss our wide-ranging conversations with her. She was also a wonderful writer and poet.

When we wonder what she got from us, we jokingly say that we taught her to swear. Like many women from her generation, she took to heart the message that people only like you when you behave. She felt safe enough working with us that she began to get mad and swear when she wasn't happy.

We had no idea last year that this would be June's final illness, but as time went on it became apparent that her health was not improving. What made this process tolerable for us was that she remained upbeat throughout and was really not interested in talking about it; other things were just more important. When she did talk about her illness, it was with a sense of curiosity and adventure. She freely shared her spiritual and mental processes with us.

Toward the end, she told us with great satisfaction that she'd figured out what it was all about for her. She told us her task this time around was to know that she was worthy of love. A little later she shared that many people had expressed gratitude for the impact she had had in their lives. Her job was done, she had no regrets, she had no fear. The world is better for her having been here. We are grateful for her husband Stan for taking such good care of her and extend our condolences to her son, daughter, and grandchildren.

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