Delores June Fullerton

HAMILTON - Delores June Fullerton died of cancer at Discovery Health Centre Sept. 10, 2011 at the age of 87.

June was born in Hamilton November 29, 1923 to Roy and Nora (Buckridge) Hamilton. Nora died at an early age, and June's grandparents, Bentley and Bernetta Hamilton, were responsible for much of her and her younger brother Donald's upbringing.

June graduated from Hamilton High School. She married William J. Fullerton Jr. in 1946 and they had two children, Susan and Steve. They lived in Hamilton until 1977, when Bill was transferred by Montana Power Company to Missoula. She lived there until this summer, when she returned to Hamilton.

June was gifted with talented hands. She was one of a very few photo color tinters, bringing gentle touches of color to the black and white photographs for Ernst Peterson and at Johnson's Photo Studio in Hamilton.

She was a masterful seamstress " creating clothes for her children and neighbors. She also made a series of dresses for Muffie and Barbie dolls. Other creations included detailed dollhouse furniture, exacting needlepoint, and calligraphy. She made very popular kitchen witches that sold throughout the West. In the 60s, she decided to crochet afghans and her very first creation won first prize at the Ravalli County Fair and Best of Show. She continued to create afghans throughout her life. Until earlier this year, she knitted baby caps for the newborns at Community Hospital in Missoula.

She was a proud mother, volunteering at school and in the community to help make lives better. June's friends knew they could count on her to help in any way " including just being a good listener. During her illness, she earned a reputation for being strong through a variety of medical trials.

June was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband Bill, and her brother Don. She is survived by daughter, Susan Fullerton of Fountain Hills AZ, Stephen Fullerton of Hamilton MT, granddaughter, Janna (John) Castro of Fountain Hills AZ and great-granddaughter Katie of Fountain Hills AZ.

June was member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Order of the Eastern Star.

June requested no funeral, so the family will have a private graveside service on Friday, September 16 at Riverview Cemetery. There will a reception to celebrate her life on Friday, September 16, 2011 from 12 " 2 pm in the community room at Daly-Leach Chapel.