June Schutzberger

June Schutzberger passed away Friday, January 24, 2014. Despite a lifetime of rheumatoid arthritis and heart problems, June led a very active and fulfilling life. Her career was in the field of education. June grew up in Philadelphia, PA and attended Catholic girls’ schools through high school and liberal arts college. She earned a Master’s Degree of the University of Pennsylvania. During World War II, she attempted to enlist in the Army but initially was rejected due to her heart problems. She persevered and eventually was accepted on the condition that she would sign a waiver to indemnify the U.S. Government against any subsequent problems with her heart. After serving in the military, June held several positions overseas including teaching conversational English to Japanese high school teachers at Amerika House in Hiroshima. She also taught mathematics and English to non-commissioned officers in the U.S. Army so that they could attain the mandated educational level. June moved to Albuquerque from Japan in 1959. She taught 6th grade at Montezuma Elementary School here for 10 years and is still remembered by many of her students. She became the first certified teacher of the gifted in the state of New Mexico, thanks to the encouragement of her coordinator, Elizabeth Paak (who initiated gifted education in APS), and Ed Marinsek, APS South Area Superintendent at that time. She was instrumental in developing the gifted program through her role as Methods and Materials teacher for the gifted. Her deepest pleasures were the NM Symphony Orchestra, world travel, duplicate bridge, and the beach, especially Clearwater Beach in Florida where she visited for 44 years. June was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Schutzberger, with whom she shared many wonderful world travel experiences; and by her only child, Dennis Williams. She is survived by two granddaughters, Deanna Torres and husband, Craig and daughters, Maya and Rhea, and Kristin Williams, all of Colorado. In recent years, she has expressed her deep gratitude many times for the support of her neighbor, Mark Kleiner and her daughter-in-law, Linda Williams. June will be missed by her many, many friends. A Memorial Rosary will be recited Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Wyoming. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday, February 17, 2014, 10:30 a.m., at Risen Savior Catholic Community, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Friends may gather Monday evening, February 17, at 5:00 p.m. at the home of June Schutzberger. In lieu of flowers, June requested that donations be made to the charity of your choice. FRENCH – Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400

June Schutzberger

May 6, 1922 - January 24, 2014