June Boutin

June Boutin, age 89, of Odessa, TX. passed away on October 31, 2016 in Odessa.
June was born in New York City to Joseph and Frances Knaut on March 18, 1927. In 1933, she moved to Buenos Aires with her family where she learned Spanish in order to learn and participate in school, as well as to more fully engage in the social life in Argentina. At the age of 13, June moved back to the United States with her family where she settled in New Jersey, and subsequently in El Paso, TX. She briefly attended the College of Mines and Metallurgy of the University of Texas (now UTEP) in El Paso, then Middlebury College in Vermont where she met Francois, her future husband. After attending college for 2 years, June and Francois were married in 1947. They moved to El Paso where all of their children were born before the family moved to Odessa in 1952. June and Francois immediately became very active lifelong members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
In addition to raising a family and caring for her home, June was an excellent seamstress, and spent much of her time redesigning clothes, making intricate Christmas banners for friends and family, and altar linens for the church. Additional hobbies included cooking for family and social events, dancing, swimming, music, and travel. June was a member of the Catholic Women's Organization and the Pan American Round Table of Odessa. She was also a member of an informal group of close friends known as "The Goofies". In 2001, at the age of 74, June enrolled in UTPB where she took classes in an attempt to complete her undergraduate degree in Spanish. She loved attending college and challenging herself with learning new things, such as how to use a computer, and interacting with other students, most of whom were less than a third her age.
June is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Frances, her brother Ray and sister-in-law Marge, and her sister-in-law Louise.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Francois; brother Don Knaut, of Annapolis, MD; daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Bobby Young of Lafayette, La; son and daughter-in-law David and Cathi Boutin of Odessa, daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and Ron Sparks of Austin; four grandchildren (Jennifer, Jamie, Lindsey, and Jeff); and six great grandchildren.
The family wishes to extend a sincere thanks and appreciation to all the care-givers who helped June in the last years of her life. A special heartfelt thanks is extended to all of the staff at Parks Methodist Retirement Village Assisted Living for not only delivering the best of care, but also for becoming dear friends.
A Memorial Mass will be held to celebrate June's life at 3:00pm, Thursday, November 10th at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 612 E. 18th St. A brief reception will be held following the Mass for visiting and sharing good memories with the family.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association online or to St. Mary's Catholic Church at 612 E. 18th St., Odessa, TX 79761.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign the guest registry at www.sunsetodessa.com