BURRIER, Joanlee Frances
Joanlee Frances (Turner) Burrier, age 89, suddenly and unexpectedly, went home to her Lord on Thursday December 17, 2020. A long-time resident of Westminster, MD., she moved to Alexandria, Virginia several years ago where her daughter and several of her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren reside.
Joanlee was born October 10, 1931 in Baltimore, MD to Alfred S. Turner and Evelyn F. Peters, younger sister to the late John Turner. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph (“Jack”) Howard Burrier, and son Scott Joseph Burrier (Lisa). She is survived by her daughter, Terri Burrier Natoli (Tom), son, Todd Peter Burrier (Melanie), eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and niece Susan Hlavin. Joanlee enjoyed an over 40year successful career as a financial analyst and accountant for the Great A & P Tea Company which was later acquired by the SuperFresh group before her retirement at age 72.
“JL” as she was affectionately called by her son-in-law, Tom, and daughter-in-law, Melanie, or “Gammer” to her loving grandchildren (and grandchildren in-law)— Christopher (Stacy), Ashley (Angel), Kelsea (Scott), Bethany (Casey), Brett (Courtney), Allie (William), Carey, and Madeline (Derek), and great-grandchildren -- Jackson, Finley, Ethan, Chase, Brayden, Harper, Declan, Scottlyn, Avery, and Berkleigh, was a kind, smart, humble, quiet, strong, and loving woman of deep faith, who embodied a selfless life of care and service to others. She spent many years volunteering at various churches to which she either belonged or simply cared about, including Church of the Ascension and St. Benjamin’s Church in Westminster. She was also a steadfast and dedicated volunteer at the Carroll County Food Sunday food bank.
She loved animals nearly as much as human companionship, especially collies and kitties, and her household always included multiple pets at the same time. She enjoyed being outside in the sunshine, gardening, reading, walking in the woods, being by the water, fishing, playing tennis, and later in life, pickleball. But nothing on earth was more precious to her than spending time with her family, who equally loved spending time with her. She had a youthful spirit, as evidenced by sightings of her sleigh riding by herself at night well into her 70s or playing baseball or fishing with her grandchildren. She remained extremely active until such time as her body would just no longer cooperate. Despite enduring many hardships throughout her life, Joanlee persevered, always having a smile or kind word for everyone around her. Everywhere she went the people she met were touched by her gentle sweetness in a way that made her unforgettable. A constant question asked of her children by their friends and loved ones throughout their life, including on the day she died, was “how is your mom doing?” She was adored by all who knew her or met her.
Due to the restrictions and safety issues surrounding the current pandemic, a memorial service and celebration of her life will take place later next year on the occasion of what would have been her 90th birthday at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home in Alexandria, Virginia followed by a burial in Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. Condolences can be shared with her family at https://www.everlywheatley.com/tributes/Joanlee-Burrier