June Ann Taylor Nitschke

June Ann Taylor Nitschke passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026 at UPMC Williamsport’s ICU with her loving husband of 51 years by her side and holding her hand.

June was born 12/14/1951 in Queens, New York to George and Lillian (McMullen) Taylor. She met her future husband, Robert Eric (“Nitch”) Nitschke, at age five and married June 1, 1974. June would often tell people “I’ve loved him since we were kids”! Growing up outside New York City, June and Nitch longed to move to the country. June attended college at Penn Hall in Chambersburg where a suite-mate from Williamsport introduced her to the area. In 1977, June and Nitch moved to Lycoming County and then in 1979, bought their home in DuBoistown overlooking a beautiful bend in the Susquehanna.

From a very young age, June was a passionate horse rider, trainer, and caregiver. Living in Lycoming County afforded her the opportunity to finally own her own horses. In 1985, June and Nitch purchased land in Old Lycoming Township and began operating Fox Hill, their own horse-farm. In later years, June enjoyed going for buggy rides at her farm with her driving horse, and performing numerous trick routines with her prodigy quarter horse, Shay.

Throughout her life, June deeply loved her dogs—one of which had the distinction of having performed onstage for Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton—in addition to appearing in television commercials.

In her younger years, June enjoyed attending her husband’s performances when he was acting in various theaters, or listening to the different rock & roll bands he performed with in New York and Pennsylvania.

June greatly enjoyed the boat club in DuBoistown where Nitch is a board member and former Vice Commodore and Dockmaster. In addition to rides on the river and fishing, June also loved meeting boat club friends and relaxing by the water with her dog Maggie after a day at the farm.

Throughout her life, June also enjoyed collecting antiques and using them to decorate their 135-year-old home beside the river.

Prior to her retirement, June worked for multiple social service agencies. She was blessed with a gift for kindness, patience, humor, and expertise in behavior modification. She had a special ability to connect with people and her beloved animals and bring out the very best in them.

In addition to her parents, June was predeceased by her sister-in-law, Joan Molloy. She is survived by her husband; her brother, George Taylor, and his wife Linda; her brother-in law, William Nitschke, and his wife Marcia, and nephews and nieces and extended family members.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the compassionate and diligent staff of the ICU and our good friend, Chaplain Patrick Uhter, whose utterly uncanny ability to suddenly appear or intervene at precisely the right moment unarguably demonstrates the hand of God. And we wish to thank all our friends for the very kind and loving support we received.

At June’s request, there will be no visitation.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Appalachian Horse Rescue (1201 Yerger Rd, Linden, PA 17744) or The Healing Barn (27731 Bradner Rd, Millbury, OH 43447).

June’s great wish and prayer is that we will again sit together beneath that craggy old apple tree beside the pond, and hold hands, and talk, and toss Cheeri-Os to the blue-gills, perch, and channel cats, while all the horses run and play and kick and buck in the fields. And if June had walked off without her cane, Shay would again take notice and pick it up with his teeth and bring it to her. And the barn swallows, bluebirds, and dragonflies will again color and animate the air around us. And all the dogs will perform their finest tricks for their favorite treats. And June will hug and hold and spoil them all. And all our departed friends and loved ones will again sit and visit and tell all the old stories. And everyone will laugh and laugh until it grows late, and the white-tails begin to wander out. And when at last, old Orion finally arrives and performs his magnificent handstand on the very top of the back hay-field, it will be time to go.

May the Lord please welcome June and comfort the rest of us.