June Mamana Guertin

GUERTIN, June Mamana Dr. June M. Guertin, Emerson Professor, dies at 71 June Mamana Guertin, 71, a professor of world theater at Emerson College, died June 10th at her home in Boston after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Easton, Pennsylvania on June 9th, 1947 to the late Joseph and Julia Mamana, Dr. Guertin graduated from Beaver College (now Arcadia University) and received a PhD. in Theater from Tufts University, where she wrote her dissertation on Broadway scenic designer Boris Aronson. After college she traveled to Kenya with the American Friends Service Committee and worked with their Voluntary Work Camp Association. She lived and worked with the Akamba and Maasai tribes, building a hospital and classrooms. This was a life-changing experience for her and was instrumental in shaping her passion for travel and African tribal art. An active member of the St. Botolph's Club, Dr. Guertin also taught several theatre courses at Beacon Hill Seminars and continued her lifelong commitment to theatre and education by leading numerous play reading groups. Her zest for life, laughter and the finest chocolate desserts led her to travel extensively throughout the world. Dr. Guertin was preceded in death by her husband and partner of many years, Robert (Bob) Powell Guertin, an experimental physicist and the Dean of Tufts graduate school from 1985 to 1996. She is survived by her brothers Joseph (Mary Lou), James (Wendy), and John (Gwen), her sister Julianne (Norman) and fourteen nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her loving family and a multitude of devoted friends who share her love for great theater, fine restaurants, and of course, chocolate. A celebration of Dr. Guertin's life will be held at the St. Botolph's Club in the fall. Donations in memory of Dr. Guertin may be made to the June M. Guertin Archives at Barrington Stage Company by contacting Trevor Wise at twise@barringtonstageco.org or by mail at 122 North Street Pittsfield, MA 01201.