June Vena Strand Edelman

June Vena Strand Edelman

Cincinnati, Ohio – June Edelman, age 93, was born in Sydney, Australia to the late Gertrude Vena Wells Strand and Harry Strand. June passed away on November 30, 2020.

Growing up in Australia, June often told stories of her childhood in a town called Mosman in New South Wales. As WW II converged on the Pacific, June would leave high school and find work at Luna Park Sydney amusement park. Nestled on the Sydney Harbour, the park served as the perfect location for young servicemen to treat their girlfriends to a day out.  For June and her friends, it was also the perfect vista to watch the American Naval ships come into the harbour. Most likely she stood at the window as the USS Birmingham came into view, carrying the man she would spend the rest of her life with.  She met her future husband, Herbert L. Edelman, at the age of 17.  Herbert, a United States Naval officer, stationed in Sydney, fell in love with June and Australia.  They met at an officer’s dance. They married in 1946. Not long after their marriage, June would board the last war bride ship bound for America, named the USS Mariposa. Docking in the San Francisco Bay harbor, June would make her way across the country to Brooklyn, NY, where she would meet her American family. June and Herb’s life together spanned 58 years.

June and Herb raised their family and continued to grow Herb’s career in the ink and pigment industry, which took them to Pensacola, FL, Atlanta, GA, Hartsdale, NY, Stamford, CT, Cincinnati, OH, and Ramsey, NJ. Upon retirement, June and Herb moved back to Cincinnati to be closer to family.

June and Herb travelled extensively throughout their life together. Their hearts were never far from Australia. Their mutual love for the sunburnt country took them back to Australia over 25 times during their married life.

June will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and dear friend. Her infectious laugh, love of life, and positive attitude was unparalleled. Her family will forever cherish their life and time spent with June on the Outer Banks, family dinners, backyard parties, enjoying a cup of tea, and always just a sliver. June found her way into many hearts.

June is predeceased by Herbert Leonard Edelman, her husband of 58 years, her son, Mark L. Edelman (late Wanda), and brother Tony Strand. She is survived by brother Dennis Strand (late Valerie) of Canberra, Australia, daughters, Leslie J. Carlotti (late Dino), Meredith A. Raffel (Timothy), grandchildren Gina (Paul) , Dana, Melissa (Brian) , Amy, Kyle (Tara), Parker, Erik (Mary), and great-grandchildren Kirsten, Cameron, Mason, Teddy, and Finn. June always felt great love and affection for her nieces and nephews, including Marilyn, Mitchell, Michael, Jeffrey, Jennifer, Sally, Georgia, Harriet, Emma, and Mathew, Greg, Birte,  and Nicola.

The family would like to thank Twin Lakes Retirement Community, Homewell Care Services of Cincinnati, and Queen City Hospice for their kindness and dedication to June.

Services were held in private. A celebration of life will be held in 2021.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Greater Cincinnati PBS Station, CET.