Obituary of N. June Lipka

N. June Lipka, 84, of Owego, NY, passed away at home on Thursday, July 7, 2015, surrounded by her family after an extended illness. She was born on July 10th, 1930. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Anthony Lipka; four children, Patricia (Francis) Aloi of Merritt Island, FL, Theresa (Damir) Lazaric of Watkins Glen, NY, Thomas (Vinceen) Biddle of Horseheads, NY, Cynthia (Michael Keaty) Perry, of Nichols, NY; 11 grandchildren, Clinton, Callan, Cameo, Caleb, Jennifer, Natasha, Chad,Tina, Ashley, Rachael and Elizabeth; 21 great-grandchildren, Olivia, Vincent, Mae, Gemma, Britt, Ellis, Joshua, Enoch, Cora, Lindsay, Morgan, Brooke, Michael, Joshua, Aliya, Dublin, Roman, Mishka, Leah, Amanda, Jude; and two great-great-grandchildren, Zavior and Jay; one niece, Dianne Bird; a half sister, Corky (Dennis) Pierce. June was predeceased by her parents, Clyde and Bernice Bird; two brothers, Jack Bird and Jerry Bird; her first husband, William Biddle. June was born and raised in Troy, PA and graduated from Troy High School Class of 1948. This is where she was married and started her family, before moving to Horseheads, NY. Later she relocated to Owego, NY, where she met her second husband and continued her family. She retired from Tioga Gardens in 2002. She previously had been employed by the Gazette & Times in Owego , E.J.’s, and was a previous owner of Front Street Restaurant. In her younger years, she and her husband, enjoyed snowmobiling with the Tioga Ridgerunners. She also enjoyed camping for over 30 years at Lake Bonin. She was an avid knitter and enjoyed working on crafts, especially ceramics. Above all, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and having family gatherings. She was a loving mother and grandmother. Heaven received a special angel when the gates were opened for her. She will be greatly missed by her family, but memories will last forever. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by her nephew, Father Alfred Bebel, on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 300 Main St., Owego. Burial will follow in the Parish Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday Evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 15 Park St., Owego, NY. Memorial contributions may be made in June Lipka’s memory to the Tioga County Rural Ministry, 143 North Ave., Owego, NY 13827 or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be made to June’s family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.