14 May 2025
In the coastal town of Newhaven, as Frank tumbled into the harbour waters after an innocent fender-hauling mishap, little did he know that the woman dissolving in laughter aboard their boat would guide him not just back to dry land, but into a life of ministry.
June Topping's journey of faith and community service began unexpectedly – just like her birth in 1932 when she surprised everyone by arriving half an hour after her twin brother at the Royal Naval Maternity nursing home in Gillingham.
June's faith was deeply rooted in her Methodist upbringing. Her mother Flora, described as "an uncanonised saint", profoundly influenced June's spiritual foundation. Even when Frank, originally "a lapsed Catholic" and "agnostic," was wrestling with his beliefs, June never wavered. Her simple yet profound philosophy – "All I know is when I worship my life works better than when I don't" – speaks volumes about her practical approach to faith.
This unwavering commitment eventually led Frank to embrace ministry within the Methodist Church. The once-theatrical man found himself serving as a Methodist Minister in Brighton, with June staunchly by his side, albeit with her characteristic independence declaring, "I am not going to be doing the flowers!"
Instead, June channelled her energies into substantial community work. She established a Girl Guide company, managed a youth club, and supported university students as part of Frank's chaplaincy at Sussex University. Her approach wasn't just supportive – it was transformative. June brought her theatrical background, athletic prowess, and irrepressible spirit to everything she touched.
Throughout their 67-year marriage, June's influence extended far beyond her immediate family. As they moved around for Frank's various ministries and his later work with BBC radio, June continually reinvented herself while maintaining her core commitments. She became a Royal Yachting Association coach, teaching sailing to disadvantaged youth at the Arethusa Venture Centre. Later in life, she took up farming in Wales, became a Housemistress a Methodist girls' boarding school and provided road support for the Jubilee 2000 march from Birmingham to Cologne.
In Clearwell, during the final chapter of her life, June became a pillar of both the Methodist Chapel and the village pub, The Lamb Inn. As senior steward at the chapel, she fought passionately for modernisation – the great chair debate being just one example of her determination to move forward rather than backward. At The Lamb, she embodied community spirit, sharing her generosity and mischievousness with locals.
June's faith wasn't confined to Sunday services or theological debates. It manifested in her tireless service to others, her adaptability, and her commitment to building community wherever she went. She demonstrated that faith in action meant showing up, getting involved and sometimes getting your hands dirty – whether that meant lambing in Wales or teaching disadvantaged youth to sail.
What made June's influence so remarkable was her authenticity. She didn't separate her spiritual life from her everyday existence, instead, she integrated them seamlessly. Her faith wasn't about perfection but about presence – being fully engaged in life's joys and challenges.
In the end, June achieved her three final wishes: to die at home, to die before Frank, and to "go out of the house feet first". Even in death, she maintained her characteristic directness and determination.