June Estep Fiorelli's Obituary
June was born in Clearfield, PA, spent most of her life in Connecticut and her retirement years in Sarasota, FL. She received her BS from New Haven Teachers College, now Southern CT State University (SCSU); her MA from SCSU/Yale University; and her sixth-year degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Bridgeport, CT.
Mrs. Fiorelli was on the faculty of New Haven State Teachers College as a trainer of student teachers until moving to Darien, CT with her husband and daughter. She then taught in The Stamford Public Schools. She was the only teacher on a committee to plan a program for gifted fifth and sixth grade students called Project Explore and was its first teacher. She led a committee of community leaders to create The Stamford Education Plan and then served as Stamford’s District Department Head for Staff Development.
Mrs. Fiorelli was active in the Stamford Federation of Teachers holding many offices including president. In Darien, she was a member of the Darien Committed for Good Education and the Democratic Town Committee.
After retiring in Connecticut, she taught grade five and gifted students in Bogotá, Colombia, S.A. at an American school, Colegio Nueva Granada.
June chose to live in Sarasota, FL because of the opportunity to enjoy the arts, blue skies and people who would come to visit. She was active in Sarasota-Manatee NOW, a member of The Danish Club, The Audubon Society of Sarasota, The Literacy Council and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She served in many capacities on her Condominium Board, including president.
June was involved with writing groups since retirement, especially one devoted to writing for children. Her published works include many prize-winning poems, articles, a Young Adult biography, Fannie Lou Hamer: A Voice for Freedom by Avisson Press, and a collection of poems, Stuck Toast and Mud Pies: Poems for Kids.
Survivors include her daughter, Ann Lawson Fiorelli and Ann’s husband, Richard Alton Croley, Ph.D., a sister-in-law, many nieces and nephews and scores of friends who have described her as inspirational, a tower of strength, full of brilliance, humor and encouragement, loving, caring, generous. When asked about her secret for a long life, June would say “a vodka every night”.
She was pre-deceased by her father Albert Burdine Estep, her mother, Elsie Kirsten Larsen, her sister Frances Estep Hinman, her brothers Burdine and Lawson Estep and her devoted companion of many years, Ret. General Edmundo Valencia Ibañez.
Skyway Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens in Palmetto are in care of arrangements. Contributions on her behalf may be made to Girls, Inc. of Sarasota, FL.
https://girlsincsrq.org/
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