Joan Marie (Barry) Burrows

Joan Marie Burrows 86 of Buckland died Tuesday 1/31/17 at home in the care of her family, supported by family friends. Joan (pronounced Jo-Anne) had battled cancer for several months prior to her passing.

Joan was born 1/12/1931 in Brattleboro, Vt. the only child of Guy and Ida (Merrifield) Barry.  She was a younger member of the Greatest Generation. Strong family relationships formed Joan’s core beliefs. Her reflections on experiences growing up during the great depression and WWII were not those of a survivor, but of someone who lived and grew strong from them. Her parents works requirements meant that she spent time living with her maternal Grandparents on a farm in Chesterfield, NH. She could recount several humorous tales related the “en-shed” bath facilities at the farm.

Joan graduated from Brattleboro High School and attended Northampton Commercial College. She worked for a time at the Holstein Friesian Association supervising a group of catalogers prior to beginning her life career in home making and child care.  Her life focus was caring and nurturing her husband Dick, son Barry, daughter Beth (Martin), her grandchildren and eventually great grandchildren.

High school sweethearts Joan and Richard Lee Burrows son of Pliny and Lucy (Weatherhead) Burrows, were married in Brattleboro on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1951.  Through their marriage they maintained home consecutively in Brattleboro, Bellows Falls and Chester, Vt.  Also in Shelburne Falls, Ma. (Shelburne and Buckland sides). Joan was active in the community.  She opened her home to Brownies and Cub Scouts.  She taught Sunday school. She joined and served in civic clubs and volunteered at local hospitals.

Family members surviving Joan include her husband Richard. Her son Barry his wife Kathleen and their children Stephen his wife Iris,  Susan and her partner Matt.  Her daughter Beth Martin (predeceased by husband Edgar) and their children Brianna, Walter and his partner Kristin, and Barrett and his wife Beth.  Joan greatly enjoyed visits from and hearing about her great-grandchildren.  Stephen’s Peter, William and Cora: Brianna’s Ava: Walter’s Kinsley and Sadie: Barrett’s Hailey and Tucker.

From the secret lives of a pet lovers life some things about the cats. “Machine” Brattleboro,  Italian cat “not ours” Barry’s first domestic friend. “Stella Louise” Chester, first family pet. NYC bred Kitty from leash to free range in Vt. “Georgie Girl” Chester, Beth brought home from school for the weekend. She never met a can of cat food she didn’t like and she never left our home. “Omar Khiam” Chester/ Shelburne Falls, kung-fu fighter, able to stare down and chase off German Shepherds, but terrified of Tam-O-Shanter hats. “Cephas”, “ Chudney” and “Clyde” Buckland the indoor Kitties occasional escapes never required police intervention, but were monitored closely.

Visiting hours will be Friday, February 3, from 6 to 8 pm at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 40 Church St., Shelburne Falls

A funeral service will take place Saturday, February 4, at 11:00 am at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Hannah Lively and Marty Newman for providing support to Joan while she fought her illness.  Thanks also to Hospice of Franklin County who provided expert and caring support to Joan and family.  The family suggests donation in Joan’s memory to Hospice of Franklin County or a charity of one’s choice.

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