Joan Beverly Burns

Joan B. Burns, born August 20, 1931, passed away on March 16, 2022. Mom passed peacefully in her sleep in Vineyard Park Assisted Living. Most of the family had an opportunity to visit with her in the days before her passing. Mom struggled with dementia for many years and passed just seven weeks after her husband of 71 years. Mom is at peace now, no longer restricted by age or pain. I hope that heaven has a quilting club, it just gained a new member.

Joan was born in St. Louis, MO and moved to Everett WA with her mother and brother during WW II. She graduated from Everett High School in 1949, marrying her high school sweetheart Art Burns on September 22, 1950. Mom worked at Snohomish County PUD as a key-punch operator while dad served in the Air Force. Once he returned home, they finished the house they were building on 45th and Colby.

Mom loved being a mother. She raised the three of us and enjoyed doing so. I recall our father frequently saying, “Don’t encourage them” when we misbehaved. She was the quintessential 60’s mom, taking care of us, running the house and starting her life-time devotion to gardening. Her Fuchsia baskets, tomatoes and general green thumb were well known.

Mom loved to quilt, a skill she learned from her mother. She was a member of Quilter’s Anonymous and made many friends through the club. We are fortunate to have many heirloom quilts from both mom and her mother. Mom and dad loved to go to garage sales to find deals that they would turn around and sell on eBay or at their annual garage sales. She collected dolls and Chintz. She loved her miniature poodles, always having one for the last 45 years.

Joan was preceded in death by her father, Charles Sanders Sr., mother, Elsie Huxford Sanders, brother, Charles Sanders, Jr. and the love of her life, her husband Arthur Burns. She is survived by her three children; Warren Burns, Wayne Burns (Ann) and Sally Burns; five grandchildren; Stephanie Burns, Nicole Burns, Nathan Burns, Chelsea Burns and Addi Burns; and one great-grandson, Colton Burns, along with numerous nieces, nephews and their children and many cherished friends. Dad and mom spent the last years of their life together at Vineyard Park Assisted Living in Mountlake Terrace. The family wishes to express our appreciation for the kind compassionate care they received at Vineyard Park.

There will be a memorial service for Art and Joan at 1:30 on May 13th at Evergreen Funeral Home Chapel, 4504 Broadway, Everett