June E. (Sullivan) Eressy, 72, of Worcester, passed away on January 4 at UMass Memorial Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Michael E. Eressy; two daughters, Elizabeth A. Barker of Los Angeles and Carly M. Eressy of Austin; one son, Michael H. Eressy of Worcester, and his wife Kathryn; her precious young granddaughter, Lillian Rose Eressy; her sister, Nancy Buniowski of Worcester; and several nieces and nephews, including Kimberly Alario of Worcester and Kelly Cicio of Holden. June was predeceased by her brothers, John D. Sullivan, Jr., and Robert Sullivan, as well as her brother-in-law, Steven Buniowski.
The daughter of John D. Sullivan, Sr., and Marilyn (Johnson) Sullivan, June was born in Worcester and raised in Shrewsbury, where she graduated from Shrewsbury High School. After completing her undergraduate education at Salem State University and Worcester State University (WSU), she earned her master’s degree in education at WSU and her master’s in labor relations at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. From there, she embarked on a long and celebrated career in the Worcester Public Schools (WPS), first teaching at Burncoat High School and North High School and eventually finding her true calling while serving as an English teacher at South High Community School.
A multi-award-winning and National Board-Certified teacher who touched the lives of thousands of students, June was a founding faculty member at the groundbreaking University Park Campus School (UPCS), where she ultimately assumed the role of principal and helped steer UPCS toward such monumental achievements as being designated the only high-performing urban high school in Massachusetts. With her many professional accomplishments including winning the highly prestigious Milken National Outstanding Educator Award and the Katharine F. Erskine Award—in addition to being named a WPS Teacher of the Year—June later served as principal of Claremont Academy and a WPS quadrant manager. After retiring as principal of Chandler Elementary Community School (where her hands-on leadership played a vital part in moving the school out of Level 4 status), she worked as an adjunct faculty member professor at WSU and as a consultant for Teachers21.
Known for her heartfelt love of supporting students and guiding them toward their greatest potential, June served as a mentor to countless members of the WPS community. However, despite her incredible passion for her work, her deepest joy lay in the time spent with her family, her immense circle of friends, and her beloved dog, Scout. A voracious reader who loved Broadway shows and held season tickets at the Ogunquit Playhouse, June especially cherished her days spent by the ocean in Maine and in Marco Island, FL. The next time you’re at Long Sands Beach in York and hear a bit of beautiful, infectious laughter somewhere off in the distance, know that June is there with you and smile with happy thoughts of her warmth and humor and truly one-of-a-kind heart. Above all, remember that this moment is not a goodbye, but a loving farewell until we meet again.
June’s family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the team at UMass Memorial Medical Center’s ICU 7 unit for their extraordinary kindness and compassionate care.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, at O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME at 592 Park Ave. in Worcester. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 10, with a mass celebrated at St. Bernard Catholic Church at 236 Lincoln St. in Worcester. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bucky’s Food Pantry at St. Bernard Catholic Church. https://olpworcester.org/how-you-can-help