Northern Michigan University lost one of its shining lights on Monday after the passing in Jacksonville, Florida, of June Jamrich, the wife of former NMU President John X. Jamrich.

“The Northern community is sad to learn of Mrs. Jamrich’s passing,” NMU President Fritz Erickson said in a statement. “I really enjoyed spending time with her when she was here to celebrate the dedication of Jamrich Hall shortly after I arrived at NMU. It was obvious she cared very much about the university and our students.”

He said he found Jamrich to be “intelligent, compassionate with a quick wit.”

The daughter of immigrants from Slovakia, June Jamrich married John X. Jamrich, who served as NMU president from 1968 to 1983, in 1944.

In her tenure as NMU First Lady, she entertained celebrities, arranged fundraising dinners and other events and took an interest in student affairs.

In one moving anecdote, Jamrich brought out a cup of a tea to a protester, having shown concern about him having to sleep outside and possibly catching cold.

In a transcribed oral history interview, Jamrich described some of the projects in which she was involved at NMU, and even served as instructor of figure skating — the first president’s wife employed in such a capacity by Northern since Minnie Waldo (1899-1903).

Jamrich obviously valued education. She graduated from college in 1946 with a degree in merchandising, and then earned an internship in New York City working at B. Altman and Company. She also taught kindergarten in East Lansing.

She also was devoted to NMU, and was committed to involving students in activities that would strengthen their social connections and networking skills.

June Jamrich obviously was more than a wife who just accompanied her husband to university functions.

Erickson said that like her husband, June Jamrich bled green and gold.

“She kept up regularly on what was happening at Northern,” he said. “She loved Northern Michigan University and cared deeply about the students, faculty, staff, alumni and retirees. She will be missed by those of us who were lucky to know her.”

June Jamrich may be gone in the physical sense, but her spirit will have a permanent place in NMU’s legacy.