Mrs June Martin MBE, D.Pharm. , lifetime President of the Ascot District Day Centre in Sunninghill, who has done a vast amount of work to support the Ascot- area elderly, died at her home in North Ascot on July 3rd. Her funeral was held at Easthampstead Crematorium on July 20th.

June, who had a deep and compassionate understanding of a carer's responsibilities, set up Saturday Plus at the Ascot District Day Centre, to offer respite care- an outing for the frail and a break for their carers, at the weekend.   Of all her many achievements, Saturday Day Care Plus was perhaps the one she was most proud of. 

June only retired as Chairman of the Ascot District Day Centre Trust, after 14 years in the post, at her 80th birthday, but then took on the role of lifelong President. Until recently, she continued to play an active role in  Saturday Day Care Plus,   And even until last year, she was still to be found, working as a judge at the Annual Sunninghill Fancy Dress Wheelbarrow Race, on New Year's Day, come rain or shine, helping raise funds for the Day Centre .

She was part of the founding team at the Day Centre, back in the 1970’s. She explained: “It was local GP, Dr Chandler’s dream when he retired. I was a pharmacist with some experience of day centres and he called a group of people together, held meetings over three years and started a lunch club, to demonstrate the need for one,” she says, “It was a huge success, with local people meeting each other for the first time since they were at school.”

Asked why she has given so much to this voluntary work, she says: “Because of my background in caring, I appreciate the difficulties and the need for time on your own.”  She took Day Centre work a stage further in founding Day Care Plus: “I started Day Care Plus, on Saturdays, for the frail elderly who never go out,” she said, “It’s a great relief to carers, to know their relatives are out, enjoying themselves and a getting a good meal.”

“The meals came from Heatherwood in those early days and we took the dishes home to wash. We had Portakabins, adding more as demand grew. Our first building was sold and airlifted to Coworth Park School. Then, a District Councillor, Charles Reilly, Chairman before me, wanted a brick building. The money was raised and the new building opened in the 1980’s” 

June  had been heavily involved in the Centre's development and fundraising since its inception. It now boasts a  conservatory, an extension with new bathroom and much more. Members can benefit from chiropody, hairdressing and a home- cooked lunch, prepared in the well-equipped kitchen. 

Although she made a large contribution herself, she always said the Centre has been very lucky to receive regular contributions from the Fuel Allotment Trust, Fire Brigade Trust, Rotary, Round Table and similar groups.

Also in the field of fundraising, June was a founder patron of the Day Centre Benefactors, who have raised funds for the Day Centre for eight years.

June also helped establish the Ascot Volunteer Bureau (AVB) which assists local people -  usually the elderly, with transport to medical appointments and similar journeys. The Bureau provides a vital link for those who cannot travel by ambulance or public transport.   Eventually becoming Chairwoman, she only retired in 2009 after  29  years’ service.  

June, who was widowed with one surviving daughter,  had her fair share of caring at home, having looked after her sick daughter, mother, mother –in-law and husband, Bernard, a scientist, who had Parkinsons disease for 20 years. Despite all this, she had a career as a pharmacist, owning a string of pharmacy businesses (including Martin’s in Ascot High Street) and  working as a locum chemist until she retired..

It was chemistry which brought her and her husband together, at university. Originally from Nottingham, the couple eventually moved   to Ascot (after spells in Dorking and New Malden), following Bernard’s job in Slough.  She  lived in the same house for 40 years in Sunning Avenue for 40 years.

All this work was rewarded with an MBE in December 1999 in the New Years Honours List, 2000 - 'for services to the community of Windsor and Maidenhead' - although June would have liked the citation to refer to Ascot.  Ever well - informed, at the presentation, the Queen said: “I understand it was for Ascot.”

June had  another close encounter with The Queen – who is little over a week older, when she thoroughly enjoyed The Queen's Party for fellow nonagenarians in Windsor at the Guildhall. June 'made the cut' for this by one day - to be eligible, guests had to be born within the year leading up to May 1st 1926.

An active member of Tangent, she was also made a 'Paul Harris Fellow' by the Rotary Club of Ascot. This is a prestigious award and June was very honoured: “That was wonderful because it was a decision by local people,” she said.

As one of June's friends commented: "June is a very supportive person- to anyone who needed help in any way possible.  She stood for 'fairness' and believed people of any age, background or culture deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity.  An example of this is the number of years she hosted, in her own home on Xmas Day, a full Christmas lunch to a handful of people who would otherwise be alone and without a traditional meal on that special day. " 

She was also inspirational  to volunteers, and always ready to help young people get into the volunteering world.

June Martin will always be remembered in Ascot & the Sunnings with huge respect and fondness.

Pictured: June Martin Receiving a Cheque Donation for the Day Centre

DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF JUNE...

The family is requesting donations to the Ascot Day Centre, instead of flowers, in line with June's wishes. Funeral directors Lines Bannister have set up a page which you can use to make Gift Aid donations: click here to donate https://junemartin.muchloved.com

The Daily Telegraph published an obituary on Tuesday 7th July - an extended text version is currently online here.

​As numbers at the Crematorium had to be restricted to 20,  a recording of the service will be available to watch later (from within 3 days of the funeral to 28 days after the event). If you would like the link and username/password to this, please email vickimartin52@btinternet.com 

​June's daughter, Vicki, hopes to hold a remembrance service in months to come - once restrictions are further relaxed, but in case it isn't safe to do so within a reasonable time frame,  she hopes to:

1. produce a remembrance booklet, with the eulogy text, photos, anecdotes etc. which will be distributed via June's  charities .

2. offer an appointment-only invitation to sit quietly in mum's garden for individuals (or people from the same household), accessing this area via the side gate and not through the house. For more information, Email Vicki at vickimartin52@btinternet.com