June (Sawyer) Waters departed this life on Dec. 5, 2025, at Mertens House in Woodstock, while listening to Kenny Rogers with her granddaughter Karen. She was born on April 20, 1929, in Bridgewater to Ella and Evan (Chowen) Sawyer.
June grew up in Bridgewater alongside her siblings — Dick, Paul, Edmund, Donald, Zelda, Bob, and Jimmy. After losing her father to cancer at a young age, June stepped into a nurturing role, helping to care for her brothers and sisters while her mother worked to support the family. In time, her mother married Caroll Hadley, who brought his children, Pattie and Betty Lou, into the household, and together they welcomed another daughter, Sandy. The family made their home on Gold Coast Road.
As a young woman, June worked briefly at a factory in Rutland, Vermont — a job she did not enjoy — before finding a position she loved at the local soda fountain in Bridgewater, where she prepared newspapers and served refreshments to the community.
June had a great love of music and dancing, and it was at a local dance that she met Julian “Ralph” Waters. The two were married on May 31, 1947 with a reception held at the Grange in Bridgewater. They spent their honeymoon in the Lake Champlain area, a weekend remembered for heavy rain and a humorous mishap involving confetti secretly placed in June’s suitcase by her father-in-law.
June and Ralph first lived in West Woodstock with Ralph’s parents, Julian and Belle Waters, before finding a small apartment in Bridgewater, where they began their family by welcoming daughter Bonnie and sons Ron, Jerry, and Randy. As the family grew, they purchased a home on Center Road in Bridgewater where together, June and Ralph created a warm and welcoming home. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at their camp in Shoreham, near Lake Champlain. June was widely known for her beautiful gardens, and the care she put into maintaining her home and property. Her gardens brightened the neighborhood, and her generosity touched many. She was a great baker known for her popcorn balls, molasses cookies and apple pies. She enjoyed traveling to Maine, going to the movies, and out to dinner. She loved sitting on her porch, in her gazebo, or on the front lawn.
June was a proud, devoted woman who cherished her family above all else. She cared for them, supported them, and worried for them right up until the day she left this world.
She will be remembered with deep love and gratitude.
She is survived by her son, Ron Waters, and his wife, Mary (Clark) Waters; two daughters-in-law, Alison Waters and Donna Waters; two brothers, Bob and Jimmy; nine grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband Ralph and three of her children; Jerry, Randy, and Bonnie.
Those wishing may make donations to Neighbors Helping Neighbors. P.O. Box 39, Bridgewater, VT 05035
A graveside service will be held in the spring. An online guestbook can be found at cabotfh.com.
The family is thankful for the extra care extended to June by her granddaughter Robin Potwin, allowing independence for many years and the Mertens House for the last days of her life.
