11/03/2026
Sister June Carpenter
(1938-2026)
In the early hours of November 3, 2026, Sister June quietly slipped away surrounded by her Shaker Family. She had been struggling with various health and mobility issues and her passing was a blessed release from a lot of pain and limitations.
She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1938, the daughter and only child of Sydney and Florence (Blanchard) Carpenter. Sister June earned her master’s degree in library sciences at Simmons College and worked at the Brookline Public Library.
Sister June’s first visit to the Community was for the dedication of the Shaker Library in 1988. She heard that we were in desperate need of a cataloger and offered to come and volunteer. Our Curator, David Richards, interviewed her. When we asked, “what was she like?” He responded, “If the meek are to inherit the earth then she will get the whole thing.” Her initial visit quickly developed into a vocation and she joined the Community on May 31, 1989.
Drawing upon her professional training and experience, Sister June served as Cataloger of the Shaker Library, undertaking the monumental task of organizing and cataloging its vast collections. Through her careful and dedicated work, generations of Shaker history, writings, and records became accessible and retrievable to scholars, historians, and researchers, ensuring that the Shakers' remarkable legacy could be studied and understood for generations to come.
Her care extended well beyond the Library. For several years she was able to care for many of our flower gardens and she very much enjoyed “digging in the dirt,” often with her dear friend Sister Marie.
She faithfully maintained the Shaker community's book of birthdays, offering daily reminders of which among their hundreds of friends was celebrating a special day. She also devoted considerable time to visiting fellow Shakers during extended stays in rehabilitation facilities and nursing homes, offering companionship, comfort, and the reassuring presence of their Shaker family. Through these simple but meaningful acts, she expressed her devotion to the community and the friendships that enriched her life.
Sister June had a deep love for all animals and took special delight in caring for the wild birds and turkeys that visited the Village, as well as its beloved barn cats. Her compassion extended to endangered species and the protection of wildlife. She was a devoted flower gardener, an avid reader, and an enthusiastic football fan. Blessed with a remarkable store of knowledge, she was affectionately known as the "queen of trivia." She also held a special admiration for Queen Elizabeth II and the British Royal Family.
Sister June will be remembered for her steadfast faith, her kindness toward all living things, and her dedication to the Shaker way of life. She will be deeply missed by her Shaker family, friends, and the many people whose lives she touched.
In accordance with Sister June's wishes, there will be no visiting hours or funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shaker Library, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester, Maine 04260.
