June Caroline Alexander Herbst of Clinton entered eternal rest peacefully on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Yale New Haven Hospital at the age of 88. June was born in Brooklyn, NY, on June 19,1935, to the late Gertrude Weisenstein Matragna and James Alexander. Her family moved in the 1940s to Westbrook to be closer to her mother’s family.

June spent her early years on the Connecticut shoreline, where she made lasting friendships and connections with cousins and her extended family, with whom she remained throughout her entire life. June was an exceptional scholar and athlete at Morgan High School. She was an avid reader who was self-taught and self-motivated. Her creativity and curiosity knew no bounds.

She worked to help her husband, Bob, establish Clinton Sanitation. She was vital to the business as she acted as bookkeeper. After raising a family of five children, June enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University to pursue her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. After attending seven years part-time, she graduated alongside her son and daughter-in-law in 1974. She served the Clinton Public School system for 25 years as both a kindergarten teacher and a reading consultant. She was highly respected in the educational community and helped countless children realize their potential, always being a consummate advocate for children. She was recognized for her many contributions to the Clinton Public Schools. Following retirement, June enjoyed traveling with her husband, Bob, to Ireland and Alaska, with frequent trips to visit her family in California and Louisiana. Additionally, she enjoyed hosting backyard barbeques at the pool and many holiday dinners.

In addition to her parents, June was predeceased by her husband John Robert Herbst to whom she was married for 46 years. June is survived by her five children: Michael Herbst (Deborah) of Trumbull, Elizabeth Herbst of Guilford, Barbara Alaimo of Salem, June Herbst Biondi of Waterbury, and John R. Herbst Jr. of Clinton. In addition to her children, June is survived by eight grandchildren: Timothy Michael Herbst (Jacqueline) of Branford, Amanda Jablon (Jesse) of Orange, Rebekkah Barrett of Guilford, Hannah Meyer of Ivoryton, Mark Snow (Anthony) of Middletown, Krystal Bourne (Steve) of East Haddam, James Biondi (Amanda) of Clinton, and Angelina Herbst of Clinton. She was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren who will miss her dearly: James, Oliver, Trinity, Miranda, Jacob, Lila, Michael, Sonny, and Angelina. June’s surviving siblings include Robert Matranga (Elaine) of Newport Beach, California; Evelyn Talley of Jena, Louisiana; Gail Brickner of Orange, California; Gregory Matranga (Patricia) of Yorba Linda, California, and Douglas Matranga (Melinda) of Laguna, California. Additionally, June is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services were held on April 27 at the First Church of Christ Congregational, in Clinton, with Reverend Marty Gibbs officiating. Interment was at Indian River Cemetery, Cemetery Road.