Margaret June (Howe) Jewett, age 96, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2016 at the Baldwin Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on February 10, 1920, in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Thomas Benton Howe and Margaret Ada (Van Haagen) Howe.
For over 20 years, June wrote her column, "Musings from the Hill", for the Baldwin City Signal newspaper. Each column was filled with historical facts and personal stories from the past and present. She loved the town of Baldwin City, her many friends, the Baldwin Public library, where she conducted much of her research, and Baker University. For over 20 years, she lived in her beloved "house on the hill", overlooking Douglas State Lake, surrounded by flower gardens, birds and wildlife. One of her favorite pastimes was sitting on her upper deck, enjoying the peace and quiet and beauty of nature. A few of her notable achievements include being interviewed by National Public Radio, at the age of 95, as one of the oldest and continuing published columnists in the United States as well as being featured in the Sunday edition of the Kansas City Star, for her long running column. She also was interviewed by the Smithsonian Institute for one of their Projects, "The Way We Worked".
The following is a favorite poem June wrote on the celebration of her 95th Birthday:
"Upon Becoming Ninety-Five: I'm not old, she gaily said. I can't be ninety-five!
This morning while still abed, I felt but sixty-five! The years fly by! Fast they
Go! I wonder what's in store? Yesterdays I used to know, alas they are no more.
How could this be, this swift flight? It seems but a while ago, Wakened by a cry at
night, I crooned words soft and low. Treasure dreams that lie ahead. Hopeful in the
wakeful dawn, Arise! No need to stay abed, Hear the birds' morning song." –June H. Jewett
June was united in marriage to Gale K. Jewett in 1943 in Woodbury, New Jersey. Gale was a successful business man who also played the violin with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, in Illinois. June and Gale shared over 51 years of marriage. Gale preceded her in death in 1994. Their beloved daughter Wendy, age 8, preceded her in death as well, from cystic fibrosis.
June is survived by four daughters, Carol Horrocks and husband, Peter, Granbury, Texas; Holly Heller and husband Paul Laramie, Wyoming; Patricia Spencer and husband Kelly, Lexington, Kentucky; Candace Jewett, Cleburne, Texas; and a son, Preston Jewett, Thailand; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Jean Blanton, and husband John, Florida.
A Memorial Service was held Sunday, June 5th, at the Baldwin City Lumber Yard Art Center at 2:00 PM, for all the wonderful friends in Baldwin and family members. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Baldwin City Public Library, for collating June's writings for the Kansas room, c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Condolences may be sent to family through www.lamb-roberts.com.
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