Remembering Mama June

On December 6, 2010, Boys Town lost a remarkable friend with the passing of June Strauss, known fondly by most as “Mama June”. In her memory, the site she influenced for so many years, Boys Town North Florida, declared November 1 as June Strauss Day. 

In honor of Strauss, Boys Town North Florida celebrated the first annual June Strauss Day by holding a special picnic at its campus on November 1. All the staff wore blue, Strauss’s favorite color, and tied blue ribbons around the entrance to the site.  

“Our staff, our board and our children are honored to have known June,” said Dena Strickland, Boys Town North Florida Development Director. “She was a great lady who made a huge impact at Boys Town North Florida. In her honor, we chose to recognize champions - from case workers to longtime supporters - as she was a standout champion of Boys Town.”

At the picnic, five people were recognized for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of children. The Strauss Family was represented at the picnic by June’s daughter, Leslie Redding and husband Charley, who were given special recognition for their dedication in carrying on Strauss’s legacy. Strauss’s son, Ted Strauss, serves as a board member for Boys Town North Florida.  

Throughout her life, Strauss was a champion for children. She was a known child advocate and her dedication helped establish the Boys Town North Florida residential campus in 1983, the first off-site Boys Town location from headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Strauss also served as chairman of the Advisory Board for Boys Town North Florida and was a member of the Boys Town National Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2007.

Strauss and her husband, Buddy, also received the “Spirit of Youth” award from Boys Town North Florida in 1998. 

Strauss and her contributions to Boys Town will never be forgotten, and are engrained in Boys Town history forever.