June Antoinette Pointer

 June Antoinette Pointer (November 30, 1953 – April 11, 2006)

She was a singer, and founding member of the Grammy-winning vocal group The Pointer Sisters. The group had such hits as "I'm So Excited," "Fire," "Slow Hand", "Automatic" and "Jump (For My Love)." Eventually, Pointer ventured into a solo career while staying with the Pointer Sisters; she released the Baby Sister album in 1983 (it scored a modest hit with "Ready for Some Action", #28 R&B) and a self-titled effort in 1989 (its charting single was "Tight On Time (Fit U In), #70 R&B)." Pointer also performed the song "Little Boy Sweet" for the 1983 film National Lampoon's Vacation. In 1987, she scored a top 5 pop single with Bruce Willis with a cover of the Staples Singers' "Respect Yourself." She also gained notoriety for posing for Playboy magazine in 1985. Struggling with cocaine addiction for much of her career, she was ousted from the Pointer Sisters in 2004. Ruth's daughter filled in for Pointer during stage performances as the Pointers Sisters reportedly waited for her to become drug-free. June suffered a stroke on February 27, 2006. While recovering, she was diagnosed with cancer, which had metastasized in her breast, colon, liver and bones. She died on April 11, 2006 at the age of 52. Pointer is buried at Mount Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael, CA.