BEVERLY - June Jeswald, née Walsh, passed away peacefully on December 16 after a long illness. June had most recently lived in Hamilton, MA, and spent her final years at the Landmark at Ocean View assisted living facility in Beverly, MA.

June was the dance teacher and former art department chair at Pingree School, South Hamilton, MA, for over 40 years. She began in 1964 with part-time classes and grew the department to make modern dance a full subject, now required as a Freshman "art rotation" designed to expose all incoming students to the full range of the arts. In addition to regular dance classes and performances, June choreographed Pingree's annual winter musical performance. She was a driving force behind the construction of Pingree's Mary Weld Theater for the Performing Arts.

The Pingree community was June's second family. She was always invigorated by the students and made fast friends with the faculty. She retired at some point, but never left the Pingree circle as she was always eager to fill in as a substitute teacher and participate in school events.

June is survived by her daughter Melissa Jeswald of Hamilton (Pingree '79), grandson Evan Dec (Pingree'05) of Los Angeles, CA; her stepson Paul Jeswald of Newburyport, and stepson Peter Jeswald and his wife Phyllis, of Conway, MA; Peter and Phyllis' children: Liza Bousquet and her husband Matthew of Ashfield, MA, and Jonas Jeswald and his wife Carolyn Campbell of Philadelphia, PA, and their children, Jackson and Charlotte. The extended family spent many wonderful holidays together with June as host.

June was predeceased by her older brother, Edward Walsh, and is survived by her sister, Charlene Chalkley of Richmond, Virginia, and her two children, Lonnie Blick and Lynne Wilson.

June was the former wife of the late Joseph Jeswald, painter and founder of the Montserrat College of Art, in Beverly, MA. From Joseph's side of the family, June is fondly remembered by niece Susan Smith, nephew David Smith, and brother-in-law Tomas Jeswald.

June also leaves behind her beloved former students, friends and colleagues who enriched her life beyond measure. She truly cared about each person she met, and made time for everyone, be it from her office at Pingree, or hosting friends at her home. She often stated that "I think I was put on this earth to make people happy." It could not be truer.

A Celebration of June's life will be held Sunday, January 26, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Pond Room at Pingree School. Everyone is invited to come, enjoy light refreshments and share their favorite "June story." In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pingree School, 537 Highland Street, South Hamilton, MA, 01982, or online at www.pingree.org Please note "June Jeswald" in the donation.

Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Home. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com