Mary Jean Burton's Obituary
Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend passed away peacefully on May 24. Born September 5, 1931 in Wellington, MO, she was preceded in death by her father and mother, Leonard and Mayme Dillon, brother, Robert Dillon, and nephew, Scott Miller. She was survived by her treasured sister and brother in law Betty Jo and John Miller, beloved daughters and son in law, Laura Whittier and Melinda and Larry Watkins, and the light and joy of her life, her grandchildren Meredith and Allison Whittier, Hayden and Vanessa Watkins, and Montrell and Savannah Pyron, and her nieces, nephews Jeff Miller, Carol Miller, Pam Miller and her husband Doug Hubler as well as her great and great-great nieces and nephews. For the last three years Mary Jean was able to remain living independently at home thanks her loving caregiver Tracy Edwards. Tracy and her daughter Naomi added laughter and love to Mom’s days and we are so deeply grateful. Mary Jean spent most her life away from her home base in Kansas City. Her moves included El Paso, TX, Baltimore, MD, Opelika, AL, Chicago, IL, Overland Park, KS, Berkeley Heights, NJ, Chappaqua, NY, Chagrin Falls, OH (twice!), Northridge, CA and finally Dallas, TX. The anchor in all of these moves was always family; the love of family, the need of family, and the value of family. Mary Jean returned to college in her late fifties and graduated from University of Texas Southwestern when she was 65. She worked in gerontological social services for the next 10 years. During that time she helped many families care for loved ones and inspired many of her coworkers with her care and compassion for others. While in college she met and made many new friends especially her close and dear friend Mary Ann Fitzgerald. Mary Jean and Mary Ann spent almost every Friday night together for 25 years talking mostly about their families usually over a glass of Chardonnay. She was an active member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian church for many years and became a Stephens Minister there. In addition she was a member of P.E.O. a philanthropic organization that supports education for women and from which she received a grant to support herself during her college. Mary Jean was able to travel the world throughout her life but her favorite destination remained Kansas City to be with family. In fact even as her mind was failing, she never forgot her love of going to Kansas City and she continued to pack to go to there. A service will be held Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. at the Wildwood Chapel at Restland. Her ashes will be taken to Floral Hills in Kansas City, for a graveside service at 2 p.m. on June 18th, to rest with her father, mother and brother. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, JDRF, W. Pershing Road. Ste. 300, Kansas City, MO 64108, http://diabetesfoundation.jdrf.com/info/jdrf/ Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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