June Sugawara

March 30, 1963 - February 4, 2002

June's Eulogy:

June's Favorite Scriptures:

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV)

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever." Psalms 23:1-6 (NKJV)

Friends Remember June:

I, like some of you, have been friends with June since we were five years old in Kindergarten at Kingston Elementary. June and I were best friends through Elementary school. I have many fond memories of our times together. Though we went our separate ways after Purdue, we found each other once again in 1994 after she became ill. Our friendship has been strong ever since, even though we live a thousand miles apart.

There has been a lot of talk lately about heroes, and for me, June is my hero. Her inner strength and peace were limitless, and she provided us all with a positive and wonderful perspective on life. She profoundly impacted my life, and her spirit will continue to be my inspiration throughout my life.

Her faith in God and will to live gave her eight more years on this earth - not four months as the doctors originally told her. She beat all the odds, and left her medical staff in awe.

I consider myself to be truly blessed to have known June, and to have called her my friend. She will be missed terribly, but will live on in our hearts.
- Cathy Christle Kolar

August 2001 at June's home in Seattle

I knew my friend was dying, but in no way prepared myself. As I was driving to the funeral, it hit me really hard. Memories of our past flooded me. Questions of my immortality hit me. As I walked into June's church and saw her picture, her prayer blanket, a quilt that her nephews made her, I could not stop crying. How could this be true? June Sugawara. The girl I met when I moved to Indiana when I was four. Then my dear friend Helen Tsao arrived. We hugged and I knew that this was true. Soon the church filled. Lots of friends from Microsoft, her church, her family, neighbors, etc. were there to celebrate June's life. The service last for almost two hours. Lots of stories of June, jokes, a slide show...June was very loved. She had an amazing circle of people around her as she was dying.

Helen and I spent the weekend together, which was needed, and very healing for both of us. We realized we had lost a sister.
- Liza Patchen Short

I couldn't have said it better, Liza, and what a beautiful sister. In the slide show, there was a picture of June in her cheerleading outfit. Remember that? She was so cute! One thing is for sure, June was never shy about her love for her friends and family (she was never shy for that matter!). And I know she knew how much we all loved her. Thanks, June, for your love and friendship.
- Helen Tsao-Szewc

Scholarship Information:

Thanks to Cheryl (Cole) Briscoe's hard work, the following scholarship information has been set up in June's name.

The WLHS Golden scholarship will send a card June's family acknowledging each donation they receive in her memory. Please send donations to:

The Greater Lafayette Community Foundation
WLHS Golden Scholarship
In memory of June Sugawara
1114 State Street
P.O. Box 677
Lafayette, IN 49702

Phone: (765) 742-9078
E-mail: Abeaver@GLCF.Lafayette.IN.US

Copyright © 2002 - The Sugawara Family

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