Trot Insider has learned that June Jeanette Hudson of Huntington Station, N.Y., passed on Thursday morning (Jan. 3) after a long battle with colon cancer. She was 82 years of age and would have turned 83 on Jan. 5.
She was the daughter of Clinton and Ethel Brooks and born in New York City at the New York Presbyterian Hospital on Jan. 5, 1936.
She was preceded in death by her parents who both owned Standardbreds, her husband William, who was a Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceway’s driver and trainer; and a brother, Gerald Brooks.
She was a former member of the United States Trotting Association and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York. In the 1960s, along with her husband, she owned horses that raced at Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceways under the stable name of the Orange & Black Stables. During that time she was part owner of an Adios Harry colt named LACH whose name was arrived at by using the first initials of all of the partners’ last names: Levy, Alder, Cohen and Hudson.
She worked in the restaurant industry and at one time worked at Mimmos of Westbury, which was directly across the street from Roosevelt Raceway. It was while she was working at Mimmos that a customer and friend of hers, New York Jets coach Walt Michaels, appointed her an honourary member of the Jets coaching staff.
She was a member of the American Federation of Astrologers and at one time was ranked as one of the top astrologers in the country. She had taught astrology and had appeared on several TV shows. George Morton Levy, Jr., the son of Roosevelt Raceway's founder, was at one time one of her students.
She is survived by children Fred (Susan) Hudson, Lanette (Dave) Woelfel, granddaughter Chelsea Hines, brother Roger (Laura) Brooks and many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Arrangements are being finalized and will be announced shortly. Condolences and flowers can be sent to the Butler & Hughes Funeral Home, 69 Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of June Hudson.