June Marie Colby

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, June Marie Colby, who left this world peacefully on April 17, 2025, at the age of 88. A woman of grace, strength, and unwavering love, she touched the lives of all who knew her. Her kindness, warmth, and quiet wisdom will be deeply missed.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Colby; her mother, Laura Marie (Blais) Lepley; and her father, Clarence Andrew Lepley.

She is survived by her son, Edward (Diane) Colby, and daughter, Christina (Guillermo) Castro; grandchildren, Michael (Jessica), Brenda (Mike), Thomas (Tara), Jessica (Jason), and Marshall (Jessica); and great-grandchildren, Kayden, Madelyn, A.J., Emmett, Warren, Coralie, and Winslow. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family.

June was born on August 13, 1936, at Columbus Hospital in Great Falls, Montana. As a young girl, her family moved frequently in Montana due to her father's search for work in fields and shops. This eventually led them to Texas for a few years, Long Beach, California for a few years before settling in Oxnard, California. June attended elementary school in Long Beach and Oxnard before graduating from Santa Clara High School on June 10, 1954. Though her early life was marked by this nomadic lifestyle, she came to consider Oxnard her hometown.

After graduating from high school, June worked in a physician’s office in Oxnard as a receptionist and later for the local newspaper. It was during that time that June met the love of her life, Donald Colby and they were married on June 13, 1959, in Reno, Nevada. After marrying, they made Oxnard their home, where they built lasting friendships with neighbors on Ontario Street—friends who became like family. Around that time, she and Don desired to live in a more rural area where they could expand their family, grow a garden, and raise animals. This led them to move to Oak View, where they lived for 27 years. Shortly after moving, June left the workforce to stay home, raise their children, and embrace homesteading—long before it was popular. She later returned to work as a bookkeeper and eventually retired from the Ojai Valley Inn in 1991.

After retiring, she and Don moved to Paso Robles, California. In Paso Robles, June and Don were active members of the Golden State Classics Car Club, where they formed many new friendships. June also volunteered during every election year at local polling places, contributed to her church by sewing Christmas stockings, assisting with the toy bank, and donating canned goods. She was happiest in the home Don built, surrounded by her garden, beloved pets, and her horse.

June found joy in family gatherings, especially during the holidays, when her home was filled with laughter, good food, and local Paso wines. All throughout her life she enjoyed making jams, pickles, pies, and anything else she could create out of their garden. She also enjoyed sewing and mending, creating quilts for each of her children as well as the grandchildren. Her life was full—rich with friendship, love, and community. Though her time back in Ventura was brief, she cherished the friendships she made at Cypress Place, where she and Don lived for eight years.

Our mother will be deeply missed, but we are comforted knowing she is reunited with our dad and all their dear friends in heaven.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Aceso Hospice—especially nurses Tyler and Ross—as well as Deacon Don, Deacon Dan, and Fr. Leon Hutton at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, and the caregivers at Cypress Place.

A Rosary will be held May 8th at Our Lady of the Assumption Church starting at 5:30 pm; the Funeral Mass will be celebrated on May 9th at 1:30 PM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura, with a reception to follow at the Mulcahy Center behind the church.

Final interment for June and Don will take place on June 13th, with a private ceremony at Ivy Lawn.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Help of Ojai.