June Falen

June Charlene Falen, a lifetime resident of the Yakima Valley, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2013, as a result of a heart condition. Charlene was born June 3, 1924 in Yakima, Washington. For ten years, she resided in Harrah with her family at Grey Poplars Ranch. She spent part of these years with her grandparents, graduating from Roosevelt High School in Seattle and attending the University of Washington, where swimming was her passion. In 1942, she married long-time friend Andy Falen, who farmed in Harrah. In 1947, she and Andy moved to Selah, where Andy owned a dairy for ten years, thereafter operating a cattle ranch. Charlene was employed by the Selah School District as a teacher’s aide for four years, and then was assistant librarian for the City of Selah for 13 years, a perfect position for her as she was an avid reader and so much enjoyed meeting people. Charlene also was employed for eight years in accounting at Pacific 1st Computers, a business owned by her daughter, Julie Valdez. She retired from the work community in 2001. Charlene was tireless in her role as a Bluebird and Campfire leader, and her enthusiasm surrounded her children in 4-H clubs and school activities of band, chorus, drill team and sports. Charlene enjoyed writing, having authored several “Letters to the Editor” in the Yakima Herald-Republic on Yakima Valley history and current affairs. Being a clasically-schooled pianist, Charlene was an advocate for creative expression, such as music, writing, dance, art and public speaking, seeing all of her children participate in these art forms. Charlene also had a monumental interest in gardening, cooking and decorating, her home being pivotal for all family gatherings. She was a delightful person: humorous, understanding, gentle and compassionate. She was a faithful wife, patient and dutiful, and a caring mother, always giving time and materiality to her family before herself. Charlene had never ceased to drive her car or cook or garden, maintaining her great attributes of strength of mind and independence, holding fast to living life as she wished. She was “out and about” when she passed away, certainly as she would have wanted. Her family and friends will sorely miss this wonderful, generous and loving lady, who gave so much to the world in her own way and in her own time, carving out her special niche in history. “Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, we love you so much.” Charlene is preceded in death by her husband, Andy B. Falen, her parents, Wilbur and Vivian Durham, Yakima, and her brother, Dr. Stanley R. Durham, Yakima. She is survived by her children, Daniel Falen, Yakima, Anne Falen, Gainesville, FL, Jeannie Gavins (Falen), Long Beach, Julie Valdez (Falen), Yakima, and grandchildren Heather Davis, Sierra Vista, AZ, Samantha and Madeline Valdez, Yakima, Nicholas Mayer, Seattle, Kimberly Hill (Mayer), Long Beach, and great grandchildren Wyatt Davis, Sierra Vista, AZ, and Carson Hill, Long Beach. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 28th at 11 AM at Valley Hills Funeral Home - Yakima with burial following at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of June Falen, please visit our flower store.