June M. (Meinch) Kaufmann, 92, a resident of Framingham, MA and formerly of Connecticut and New York, died Wednesday morning, September 11, 2024 after a period of declining health. Born in New York City, she was the daughter of the late, Harry C. & Mildred Charlotte (Grimm) Meinch.
Raised in Brooklyn, NY, June’s father Harry Meinch, was a prominent business leader and politician. Both June and her sister, Nancy, modeled in the NYC area before they relocated to Dutchess County, north of NYC. June opted for an education in the arts rather than the more traditional college education. She eventually married Charles N. Kaufmann and had three children, Tommy, Kurt and Carol (Christy) and resided in Simsbury and Darien, Connecticut. Throughout this time-period, she was known for her successful dance studio which continued after she relocated to Millbrook and then Pleasant Valley, NY. She spearheaded an active summer theatre program which included numerous productions with local students and friends. In addition, she was equally active with the local newspapers and media, hosting a local radio and TV show on public access cable. She ultimately relocated to Framingham, MA and the Shillman House to be closer to her daughter and grandkids where she spent the rest of her days.
June was the model of resiliency and determination. Throughout her lifetime, she was confronted with numerous challenges and adversity and on each occasion was able to overcome and adapt. She began each day with a positive outlook and enjoyed life to the fullest. Even when her body began to fail her after 92 years, she remained steadfast, albeit stubbornly, to continue her quest to live life to the fullest. It can easily be said that in the final days of her life, her mantra never changed “the show must go on”.
Ever the matriarch, June is survived by her three children, Thomas N. Kaufmann (Jeanne) of Fayetteville, NY, Kurt G. Kaufmann (Lisa) of Orlando, Fla, and Carol Christy Patriarca (Steven) of Framingham, MA. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, Sydney, Claire, Charlotte, Kyle, Mason, Erik, Jordan & Jenna and her niece, Claudia Heunis (Jonathan) and nephew’s Schuyler (Amy) & Douglas Woods as well as her brother-in-law, James P. Woods, all of Millbrook, NY.
Besides her parents, June was predeceased by her younger sister, Nancy C. Woods (James) and her nephew, Jonathan S. Woods, all of Millbrook, New York.
Family and friends will honor and remember June’s life by gathering for her funeral services in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Saturday morning, September 28th at 10 o’clock. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the Shillman House who took such wonderful care of her during her final years, https://2lifecommunities.org/communities/shillman-house?utm_source=gbp&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=locations&utm_id=11-7-2022
To share a memory with June’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
Norton, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home