A Clebration of Life

At the age of 90 my wonderful Grandmother passed away. She left behind a wonderful legacy. Her family was around her often and she touched many lives. She loved to laugh, loved animals and loved life in general. She was an amazing self-taught artist and was an immigrant from Argentina. She was married to my Grandfather for almost 50 years and raised 6 children, was a beautician and practiced into her 80's. She even had "ladies" as she called them still coming into her home for appointments when I would visit her into her 80's. She is and was an amazing woman.

She is now reunited with family members and friends who have passed on before her and I look forward to seeing my amazing Grandmother again someday.


Gladys Elvira Burt
May 12, 1920-February 15, 2011
Age 90

Merm - as she is best known by many - was born May 12, 1920 in Trelew, Chubut, Argentina; and, surrounded by children, passed away in Danville, CA on February 15, 2011. She was living in Buenos Aires when she met her future husband of 49 years, Stanley Andrew Burt, while he was serving there as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She waited for him to finish his mission,
then waited two more years while he served his country in the Philippines before she emigrated in December of 1946. They were married in Salt Lake City, UT on January 29, 1947, and lived in Southern California until moving to Danville in 1974.

They raised six children, all surviving - Edward Stanley Burt, Janis Lynn Kozak (Matt), Dennis Leslie Burt, Sherrin Lee Phillips, Mark Andrew Burt (Melinda), and Crystel Jayne Burt-Toland. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Always industrious, in mid-life she became a cosmetologist and worked at that for 40 years, shaping not just hair but loyal friendships as well. An innate eye for beauty was reflected in her keen observations of nature, in her highly stylized penmanship that people often thought was from a printer, in her various knitting projects that have kept people warm for eight decades and counting, and in the paintings that fill her home. She had a quick wit and an opinion to match, so while she could be strict she also loved to laugh herself to tears.

She enjoyed the company of others and comments like, "She's so sweet!" or "I just love your mother!" were common. She is greatly loved and deeply missed by generations of friends and family.

Services will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2949 Stone Valley Rd., Alamo, on Tuesday, February 22, with a viewing from 11:00 to 11:30 and funeral at 12:00 noon. Internment will be in Brigham City, UT.


A couple of picture collages I made for the service, and an amazing picture she painted.


Draped over the painting is the Welsh tartan of my Grandmother's. (Her father's side)


A few of her Great-Grandchildren say their good-byes.







The viewing and a chance to sit quietly and greet friends and family before the services.









Her three daughters


The Bishop talks to the boys




All 6 children says their final good-byes


Michael and Jared were Paulbearers








We will all miss her every day for the rest of our lives.




A wonderful lunch fixed by my Grandmother's ward.





There's a time to weep and a time to dance. My Grandmother just LOVED the Scottish dancing and the Scottish music. My wonderful uncle put together a chance for us to do one of her favorite activities after the services.






All 6



Just being silly


Oh Dennis... always going against the grain.


Some of the boys


Some of the girls


Group hug!


Cousins




I have said it over and over to those who put this wonderful and amazing tribute together. My Grandmother would not have changed a thing if she could have planned it herself. What an amazing tribute to an amazing woman!