June Ditchfield, 56, died April 19 at home in Edgartown, surrounded by her family.

In 1965, June moved to the United States from England at the age of 15. It was the beginning of the Vietnam War and despite entreaties from her parents, Belle and Gordon, not to participate in demonstrations, she soon found herself publicly cursing the criminals that kept us in that mess.

June had a big heart, an open mind and a wickedly dry sense of humor. She often used to say, “People think I’m nice, but I’m not.”

Soon after June left her first husband, she met Christopher Mara, the love of her life, and they were married in 2004. Together they set about raising Raven May, who was 16 months old when she came to them.

June loved her new life. She loved being a parent with a kind, considerate partner. Sadly, cancer was her unknown companion even before she left her first husband. Nevertheless, she refused to let this illness define her life and always focused on the positive.

She fought a rare form of pancreatic cancer for many years, defeating all the odds with the loving support of Dr. Susan Schumer at Beth Israel and in the last months Laura Murphy and others at the Vineyard Nursing Association.

In the late 1960s, June attended the Art Students’ League in New York city. She used this experience when she began working at Howell’s Studio in Tisbury where she learned the art of picture framing. Eventually she opened her own business, Earth’s Edge Framing.

She specialized in complex jobs that others were reluctant to take on, such as framing Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith’s jersey. She also framed works by Picasso and Thomas Hart Benton. Many artists trusted her vision as she took great pride in her ability to provide advice on the mat and frame. June had the gift of helping people frame their essence.

June was a big sports fan. She supported the Washington Redskins, the Boston Red Sox and, to the befuddlement of her family, she enjoyed watching NASCAR. Between NASCAR races she served on the board of the Chamber Music Society.

June moved to the island 35 years ago and loved living here. She loved the beauty of the Vineyard and the Vineyard community. In 1998, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Survivors include her children, Meghan and Devin McCormack, and Raven May; her husband, Christopher Mara; a brother, Michael Ditchfield; a sister in law, Lynn Ditchfield; nieces and nephews Mara Ditchfield and Brian and Brooke Ditchfield; almost nephew, Jonathan Green; and mother, Isabella Clarke.

Her father, Gordon Ditchfield, predeceased her.

Her family would be honored to have friends and member of the community join in a celebration of June’s life, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 6th, her birthday, at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group, or the Vineyard Nursing Association.