June Marian Gill

June Marian Gill, age 78, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Carmel, California on Monday morning, October 4, 2021. Born in Los Angeles on June 8, 1943, she was the daughter of Harold Leslie Gill and Dorothy Margaret Kress. She has one surviving half-sister, Carolyn Gill of Redlands, California. June is also survived by her loving partner of 16 ½ years, Gary L. Unruh, of Carmel. June cherished her role as godparent to Caledonia Gerner, Ella Gerner, and Benjamin Gerner. In addition to immediate family, June loved her chosen role as grandmother to Aiden Unruh-Nichols and Alex Unruh-Nichols as well as a loving stepmom to Holly Elizabeth Unruh, all of Monterey, California. June and Gary spent 14 years as residents of Santa Barbara and the last 2 ½ in their new home in Del Mesa Carmel, a beautiful retirement community.

June’s education included high school graduation from Ventura High, a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a PhD in French Literature from the University of California, Berkeley. She taught French, Spanish, and cross-cultural courses at CSU Fresno during her 34-year tenure. She traveled extensively due to her interest in varied cultures and her love of nature. She was an excellent photographer of birds, flowers and animals, these being the subjects of the majority of her pictures. She supported nonprofits that focused on nature preservation and on equal rights for women. Her grandmother was one of the earliest of women to take on an academic position as a Spanish Professor at the University of Texas, Austin.

June had many close friends, most of whom she communicated with right up to her last days. During her relationship with Gary Unruh the two of them traveled together extensively, both close to their new home in Carmel, California as well as abroad. Posts placed on social media reflected the enriching experiences they enjoyed.

June was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A memorial will be streamed online at a later date.