CAMDEN — June Potter Durkee died Aug. 13, 2016, at Pen Bay Medical Center, surrounded by her family. She was born June 7, 1928, and raised in Plainfield, N.J., which had been home to her family on both sides for generations. June moved to Lincolnville Beach in 1986, and wrote in the last sentence of her memoir "I am home."

Her extraordinary lyric soprano voice took her to study at the Eastman School of Music, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in voice performance. While there, she sang the lead role in numerous operas, sang with the Rochester Pops Orchestra as their soloist, and played the role of Mercedes with the Metropolitan Opera on tour.

June married Gene Durkee in 1954, and the couple lived for three years at New Brunswick Seminary while Gene was preparing for ministry. They lived for 10 years in Somerville, N.J., where June was an unusual minister's wife, rarely serving coffee, but lending her voice to the choir while raising their five children. June returned to Metuchen, N.J., not long before Gene's death in 1974, and it was there that she began her singing career in earnest. With the help of her agent, she sang regularly with the Robert Shaw Chorale, City Singers and Musica Sacra in New York City, performing in venues from Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher and Carnegie Hall to the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

June was also the choir director for multiple churches in Metuchen, and had countless voice students over decades, both in New Jersey and here in Midcoast Maine.

June's home on Lake Avenue was the scene of countless gatherings at Christmas, Easter and throughout the year not only for her musical friends, but also for all the friends of her five children. Friends of her children remember to this day the positive influence she had on their lives. Despite her busy musical career, she was always available—for everyone.

Although semi-retired when she moved to Lincolnville, June for 10 years served as the bell choir director at the Congregational Church in Camden, where she was a member for almost 30 years. Continuing to teach voice privately until she was 85, June is remembered by her students and choir members for her quick smile and always positive encouragement while offering the highest quality instruction. An active member of the church in every way, she also served on their Music Committee during several searches for music directors.

June was bitten by the travel bug as a 10-year-old girl, visiting the "mission field" of Oman, Jordan, and Bahrain for four months, and Vellore, South India, with her parents. She often said that her "itchy feet" led her to the exotic and more familiar locations she enjoyed with her dear friend, Mary, her daughter, Lisa, and even by her adventurous self. She could darken a globe with pins on so many countries and cultures she visited and admired, particularly after she moved to Maine, but beginning as a soloist with a choral group touring communist Bulgaria and Romania in the mid-70s. With memories of India, China, the Middle East and Europe in mind, June was also content to look at the water in Camden while doing jigsaw puzzles or skunking her family in 500 Rummy.

June was the beloved daughter of the late Francis M. Potter and Elsie Burroughs Potter, and the beloved sister of the late Duke and Allen Potter. Always most committed to family, she is survived by her son, Eugene “Durk” Durkee III and his two sons, Colman and Gabriel of Concord, N.H.; her son, Mark and his wife, Res, and their daughter, Sciatzy, of Union; her daughter, Kim and her husband, Lance, and their children, Jessica, Erik and Monica of Randolph, N.J.; her son, Adam and his son, Nicholas, of Lincolnville; and her daughter, Lisa and her daughters, Keira and Emma of Weston, Mass. June is also survived by many generations of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly, including John Potter and all his family. Her many dear friends will miss her, knowing with her family that June gifted us with her ability to see the good in everyone, seek joy in every corner and love unconditionally.

A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church UCC, 55 Elm St. in Camden, with the Rev. Dr. Deb Jenks officiating.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Vellore CMC Foundation Inc., 475 Riverside Dr., Ste. 725, New York, NY 10115 or to the Shield's Mission Fund, c/o First Congregational Church UCC, 55 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service.