Richie Darlene Burr-Chene

Richie Darlene Burr-Chene, 85, of Visalia, California passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017 in Visalia, California. She was a strong, beautiful woman who had lived a long, adventurous life and still had so much more to live for. But sometimes our lives are not controlled by us and with unfortunate circumstances there comes a time when we just have to say enough is enough. She was surrounded by love in her final days and with Willie by her side she left this physical world only to be waiting for us to join her again in heaven.

Richie was born January 25, 1932, in Visalia, California to Richard (Dick) Coats and Leona Radmacher Coats. She grew up in Visalia until moving to San Diego where she would attend La Jolla High School. It was during this time that she acquired the love of flying from her father. Later moving back to Visalia she graduated from Visalia Union High School. She married Charles (Bud) Burr on August 23, 1949. They opened their hearts and their home and adopted Robbin Annette 5 1/2 months old in 1956 and twin boys Michael Kelly and Patrick Shawn 6 weeks old in October 1958. And with their love our family story began.

Together with her mother and grandmother they owned and operated the Visalia College of Beauty. After selling the beauty school she went back to school and earned a BSN and Master’s Degree in Nursing. Where eventually she would work and retire from Kaweah Delta Hospital as the ICU manager.

In 1999 her first of husband of 50 years Bud passed away. After his passing she started teaching nursing until she was 83 years old with her best friend and partner in crime Mary-Guinn Felsted.

Throughout her life she loved to travel and visited places all over the world. Flying was always in her heart as she would get her pilot’s license, buy a plane, fly in a race and commute back and forth between San Clemente and Visalia.

She was married to Jerry Chene until his death in 2003. While attending her La Jolla High School reunion in 2011 she was reunited after 63 years with her first and last love, Willie Clint. They truly were soul mates.

Together now in heaven as angels she joins her father, mother, Bud, Jerry and her great grandson Landen. They will be forever with us, watching over us.

She is survived by her husband Willie Clint, Robbin Reid (David), Michael Burr, Patrick Burr, sister in law Mary (Squeakie) Akin, 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Thank you to her many doctors, nurses and caregivers for their compassionate care during the last month of her life. And a special thank you to Father Rod for his kind words, visits, friendship and for helping to guide her to the next adventure in her life.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 5 – 6 p.m. with Rosary beginning at 6 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 9 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Visalia. Burial will follow at Visalia Public Cemetery.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (669) 732-8371