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June Cotter, 93, died peacefully at Northridge Village in Ames, Iowa, on Oct. 5.

Born in Chicago in 1926, she graduated from Providence High School. During the war, June worked for the Navy Department while her future husband (William Cotter) trained to be a Navy pilot. In June 1949, she married William Cotter. He predeceased her in 1986.

Her children (William, Carole, and Patricia) were born in Chicago. Once the family relocated to the east coast, June became involved in volunteer work, managing a fledgling nonprofit thrift shop serving the developmentally disabled.

Under her leadership, sales and profits grew, volunteers totaled 30, and the shop provided significant funding for their programs. She found great meaning in supporting this program and getting to know the clients’ families. The camaraderie of the staff provided a group of close-knit friends who shared the work with joy and laughter. For her dedication, June was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award from the SARAH Organization of Southern Connecticut.

June moved to Ames in 2003, continuing her volunteer service at St. Cecilia, Special Olympics, and Heartland Senior Services, where she received the Volunteer Extraordinaire Award. She made many new friends through her work at the reception desk and with the exercise group and jewelry sale.

June is survived by Bill and Cheryl Cotter; Ryan Cotter (Jen), Kyle Cotter, and Kevin Cotter; Carole Cotter; and Erin Sullivan (Jena), Devin (Sarah) Sullivan, Sean (Melissa) Sullivan, and Corey (Michelle) Sullivan. She is also survived by Patti Cotter and Peter Orazem (Ames, Iowa); Matthew Orazem (Naixing) and Katherine Orazem; and her siblings and great-grandchildren.

If you wish to remember June with a donation, please select a charity of your choice or honor her fondness for Heartland Senior Services, 205 S. Walnut St., Ames IA 50010, or an organization serving the elderly or disabled.