ARIZONA, March 6 — June King, of Flagstaff, Arizona, died peacefully at Flagstaff Medical Center on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 28, 1936, to Robert and Elizabeth Palmer, spending her childhood years on a farm in rural Missouri. She blossomed on reaching Ruskin High School, editing the school paper and yearbook, performing in the choir and plays, winning the Missouri state typing championship and being valedictorian. In 1954 she married her high school sweetheart, Thomas D. O’Neill, and for the next 17 years traveled with him and their growing family as a military wife and working mother.

In 1973 she came to Northern Arizona, settling in Tusayan, just south of the Grand Canyon, where she met and married mule wrangler and blacksmith Uliss (Shorty) King. In 1983 they relocated to Flagstaff, where she was at various times a medical transcriptionist, a real estate broker, a secretary, bookkeeper, office manager and business owner. Upon her retirement after her husband’s death, she volunteered for many years as a respite care provider and caregiver group facilitator with Northland Hospice. She loved animals and plants, enjoying the orchids and other flowers she grew in her greenhouse and caring for the many cats who adopted her over the years.

Her three children were the light of her life. She considered them to be the most important reason for her to be here, and was very proud of their accomplishments over the years. Writing was the second most important part of her life. She enjoyed success as a free-lance writer for a number of years, publishing in regional and national magazines, and kept a journal for over 50 years. Another source of joy and inspiration to her was flying. She received her private pilot’s license in Hawaii in 1970.

Mrs. King had a strong, deep-rooted religious faith which served her well throughout her life. She was always a seeker, looking for ways to improve the world around her; and looking for the good in others, which she often found sometimes to the surprise of those in whom she found it. She cared deeply about people and kept many lasting friendships. She never lost her innate strength and enthusiasm, her great sense of humor, and her love of life and learning.

She is survived by her children, Colleen O’Neill, Bridget O’Neill and Sean O’Neill (Adrienne); three grandchildren, Ben O’Neill, Brad Martin and Alicia Martin; a sister, Marge Swayne (Rick); a nephew, Scott Swayne; grandniece, Amy Bryant (Will); and her beloved cats. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Shunyam Nirav (birth name Robert Palmer), her husband, Shorty King, and a niece, Karen Swayne.

A gathering of friends and relations to celebrate Mrs. King’s life and share memories will be held at Norvel Owens Mortuary in Flagstaff on Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m.

Contributions may be made to Northland Hospice or Second Chance Animal Shelter.