June Imig Stipak
March 26, 1922 - November 3, 1995
'Would She Could Pass This Way Again'
I love the beauty of the scene,
Would roam again o'er fields so green;
But since I may not, let me spend
My strength for others to the end,--
For those who tread on rock and stone,
And bear their burdens all alone,
Who loiter not in leafy bowers,
Nor hear the birds nor pluck the flowers.
A larger kindness give to me,
A deeper love and sympathy;
Then, O, one day
May someone say--
Remembering a lessened pain--
'Would she could pass this way again.'
(Recited at the grave site by Alice Stipak, November 8, 1995, after
saying the following: 'Mom lived her life believing a burden shared
is half the burden; a joy shared is twice the joy. She knew that truly
loving others means more than merely needing them. It is a deep
commitment to serve their happiness and growth. Her devotion has made
each of us a little more whole, and a bit more free.')
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
(Recited at the grave site by Brian Stipak, November 8, 1995, after
saying the following: 'Many of us feel Mom was special in how much
she cared about others and how much she gave to others, especially
those of us she knew so well.')
It's hard to believe
A year ago you did leave
And left us naught but to grieve.
Now healing time has let us retrieve
The wondrous joys and love you helped us achieve.
And so, with joy we again perceive
The life you gave us to receive.
Thanks, Junie.
(Recited at the grave site by Frank Stipak, November 3, 1996, the
first anniversary of my mother's passing.)
My mother loved to travel, and throughout her life she traveled
and lived in many countries. You can access below a few pictures
of her taken in different parts of the world. I think you can see
in the pictures how much she enjoyed people from different cultures.
Here are some earlier pictures of her in Panama in the 1940's:
Here are some pictures when I was with her:
My mother and I had a lot of fun together. We laughed a lot,
enjoyed joking, and kidded each other. Here are a few pictures
that show that side of us:
See videotape of us karate fighting.
Hear her joking with me.
Hear her joking some more.
One activity my mother loved throughout her life was playing
the piano. She was self-taught, but had a broad repertoire
of popular music and could play new pieces on sight. She
played for hours for her own enjoyment.
Hear her playing the piano.
Go to tribute to Frank Stipak
Return to Brian Stipak's home page
Go to College of Urban and Public Affairs, PSU