HUNDREDS turned out Sunday at Mt.Zion AME Church, Southampton, and the night before at the Funeral Home in Hamilton of D.H. Augustus, to pay their last respects to Mrs. June Rita Olive Augustus, MBE. JP. She passed away November 10 in her 76th year

June, who was affectionately called by almost every one in all walks of life, was eulogised in superlative terms, as a most remarkable visionary, an entrepreneur at heart, a Renaissance woman; a journalist, publisher of FAME Magazine. She co-owned an operated Master View Guest House in Smith's Parish as well as operating the Plaza Hotel in Hamilton. At the Plaza she opened and operated Bermuda's first Geisha Restaurant. She was twice honoured by the Queen for community service. Tributes were paid to her from all sides of the House of Assembly on Friday last. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Stanley Lowe, headed the many dignitaries at the service. The Premier, Hon. Dr. Ewart Brown sent his regrets from London, where he was attending a Conference.

The homegoing service celebrating her life was conducted by her pastor, Rev. Dr. Wilbur M. Lowe, Jr., assisted by Rev. Yvonne Thompson and other clergy.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Dame Jennifer Smith read the obituary, which was accentuated by an audio visual presentation highlighting June's life; it was also seen on closed circuit television by the overflow congregation at the church. Minister Neleatha Butterfield paid tribute on behalf of the Business & Professional Club, which June headed for many years.

Presiding Elder of AME Churches in Bermuda, Rev. Malcolm Eve paid tribute on behalf of the Physical Abuse Centre (PAC) Mrs. Augustus founded in 1979, and was its chief executive officer until the time of her last illness. The centre was dedicated to the provision of a refuge for women and children who were victims of domestic violence. Elder Eve recalled how he and June grew up a stone's throw from each other as neighbours on Sound View Road, Somerset, sixty years ago. She matured as a tenacious woman of unusual strengths, with as genuine concern for others.

He was privileged to join her at PAC. He observed how through her persistence and perseverance enormous challenges threatening its very existence had been overcome.

June was cited for her contributions as a founding member of Project 100, originally a support group of Hope Homes. Its Director Mrs. Ellen Douglas hailed her as one who stood high above many wonderful women Bermuda has produced. She was a woman of principle, pride and dignity, who would not compromise on matters of truth. Mrs. Douglas led a Hope Homes group in an instrumental and vocal tribute to Mrs. Augustus.

Dame Jennifer took note of June's fearless dedication to the many causes she espoused. Her enthusiasm was infectious. "She was one of the most remarkable visionaries that Bermuda has ever produced," said the former Premier, who had been given her first job as a journalist in 1970 by June at the old Bermuda Recorder Newspaper and later at FAME Magazine.

"They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true, then the pictures that each of us have in our minds about the June that we knew are worth more than all the words in all the articles in FAME, the Royal Gazette, the Recorder and even today's programme. She was unique, a 'one off'," said Dame Jennifer.

Alluding to her last illness, she added, "Illness in one so vibrant is always a tragedy, but June bore hers with legendary fortitude. Her husband Alfred (Augustus) to whom she was dedicated nursed her with immense care and patience."

Born in Somerset on June 30, 1931, June was the second daughter of the four children of Doris and Morris Hansey. Her grandfather Charles Hansey was one of the founders of the Annual Cup Match, and one of the first-year players for Somerset in 1902. In later years her brother Charles (Peppy) Hansey was a Somerset Cup Match star.

June attended West End School and Sandys Secondary. At age 16 she went to work as an apprentice printer at the black owned and operated Bermuda Recorder. She rose to become a journalist, then advertising manager and managing editor of the weekly. In 1962 she realized her dream of producing and publishing a monthly magazine, FAME.

Earlier June had taken a break from the newspaper business to pursue her love of hats and other fashions. She qualified as a milliner at the Traphagen School of Fashion in New York. Upon her return to Bermuda she opened her own June Ann's Dress Boutique. It flourished for 16 years in Hamilton, dressing Bermuda's most fashionable ladies in the best and latest fashions, made by her own hand. At the same time, she was the producer and commentator of fashion shows at Elbow Beach and Grotto Bay Resort hotels. And she hosted The June Masters Show on the Capital Broadcasting Company's ZFB Radio and TV.

Dame Jennifer noted that while undertaking her varied pursuits, June was raising her family, involving them first-hand in the businesses.

In 1974 June produced and published her first local Calendars that are now collectors' items, featuring young Bermudian beauties. Three years later she opened the Heritage Museum in Bailey's Bay, containing over 100 portraits local heroes and heroines.

Among the other organizations in which June wholeheartedly worked were Las Casedoras, Reach Out Rehabilitation Centre, Bermuda branch of the Business and Professional Women's Clubs, of which she served eight years as president; a board member of both Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence and Special Olympics, the Consumers Affairs Bureau and her church, Mt. Zion AME.

Also she was a Justice of the Peace, awarded the MBE by the Queen for services to the community. And she was awarded many times over by various religious and other institutions.

June is survived by her husband Alfred, sister Connie Mungin; daughters June-Ann Furbert, Carolee Douglas, Darlene Simons and Tammy Jones; son Derek Pitt; stepchildren Kevin Augustus and Bonnie Claggett. She was predeceased by sisters Gladys Ina Melvina Pitt, brother Eugene and son Sidney Carl Pitt.