Obituary for June Skowronski Onesti
She filled a room with exuberance, laughter, and an insightful questioning of the universe. Family and friends mourn the passing of June Skowronski Onesti, 82, on October 9 at Bell Trace Nursing Home in Bloomington, IN. An avid reader, June will be remembered always as a constant collector of books, antiques, and loved to be “surrounded by beautiful things”. Loving mother of Nina, Alex, Tony, and Nick, June was a devoted mother. June married her college sweetheart, the late Lawrence Onesti, and traveled the world making friends and family everywhere she went. She died following a long battle with cancer.
Shortly after graduating from Northwestern University, her first trip abroad was with her parents, Eleanor and Vincent Skowronski, her brother Vincent, Jr., and two college friends. The trip included Egypt, where she climbed the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is now forbidden as too dangerous for climbers. She was a traveler of the world and loved to immerse herself in other cultures.
She earned her MA and MFA at Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin, respectively. June distinguished herself by winning many prestigious ceramic art show awards throughout America.
Excelling in many art forms, June was an accomplished ceramicist and taught in the art departments of Purdue University, Montana State University, State University College at Buffalo, and California State College at San Bernardino. She held many supportive posts at Indiana University, Michigan State University, and served as a translator at the International Language and Communication Center in Chicago.
In 1978, June was selected to serve as a delegate from the U.S. to the World Craft Council Conference in Kyoto, Japan. She traveled extensively in the U.S. with her husband studying for his PhD and later throughout the world in pursuit of his research as Professor of Geography and Geology at Indiana University.
A lover of classical music, June played the harp. A college friend recalls watching her playing in rapture, "She looked like a heavenly angel at the strings, with sun beams shining on her blonde flowing hair."
June held a high moral ethos. Lifelong friends describe her as loyal, loving, and a feisty outspoken defender of social justice. As a new acquaintance once remarked after a dinner conversation with June, "I agree with her, but I don't think I'm going to follow her to the barricades."
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 18, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church (1413 East 17th Street, Bloomington, IN). Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00am, funeral Mass at 10:00am, followed by a private family burial at Rose Hill Cemetery.
The family also invites you to join for a celebration of life reception, following the mass services, from Noon-2:30pm at the FAR Gallery (505 West 4th Street, Bloomington, IN). In lieu of flowers, a donation made to the charity of your choice is greatly appreciated.
Shortly after graduating from Northwestern University, her first trip abroad was with her parents, Eleanor and Vincent Skowronski, her brother Vincent, Jr., and two college friends. The trip included Egypt, where she climbed the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is now forbidden as too dangerous for climbers. She was a traveler of the world and loved to immerse herself in other cultures.
She earned her MA and MFA at Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin, respectively. June distinguished herself by winning many prestigious ceramic art show awards throughout America.
Excelling in many art forms, June was an accomplished ceramicist and taught in the art departments of Purdue University, Montana State University, State University College at Buffalo, and California State College at San Bernardino. She held many supportive posts at Indiana University, Michigan State University, and served as a translator at the International Language and Communication Center in Chicago.
In 1978, June was selected to serve as a delegate from the U.S. to the World Craft Council Conference in Kyoto, Japan. She traveled extensively in the U.S. with her husband studying for his PhD and later throughout the world in pursuit of his research as Professor of Geography and Geology at Indiana University.
A lover of classical music, June played the harp. A college friend recalls watching her playing in rapture, "She looked like a heavenly angel at the strings, with sun beams shining on her blonde flowing hair."
June held a high moral ethos. Lifelong friends describe her as loyal, loving, and a feisty outspoken defender of social justice. As a new acquaintance once remarked after a dinner conversation with June, "I agree with her, but I don't think I'm going to follow her to the barricades."
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 18, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church (1413 East 17th Street, Bloomington, IN). Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00am, funeral Mass at 10:00am, followed by a private family burial at Rose Hill Cemetery.
The family also invites you to join for a celebration of life reception, following the mass services, from Noon-2:30pm at the FAR Gallery (505 West 4th Street, Bloomington, IN). In lieu of flowers, a donation made to the charity of your choice is greatly appreciated.