Molita Seippel Burrows

Molita Seippel Burrows, 97, died peacefully at her home in Burke, VA, on Saturday, July 17, 2021, surrounded by beloved family members. Born in New Orleans on Aug. 10, 1923, to Alma Kober Seippel, a renowned local dress designer, and George Seippel, an entrepreneur who founded one of his community’s first bus companies, she graduated Louisiana State University at 19 years old, and later became a Public Service Supervisor, a teacher, a realtor, was President of Welcome Wagon, President of the PTA, a volunteer health/home economics teacher/advocate for young girls at inner city schools, hospital volunteer, meal provider for the sick, and church facilities and administrative volunteer.

She met the love of her life, Arthur Burrows in 1945 when she was 22 at a Christmas party in New Orleans in the classic story of fate guiding destiny. Arthur, a dashing navy pilot, had stayed at the barracks that night, but was called by his navy pals to “come over because we are short one guy for the girls here.” They married Nov 20, 1948, at St. Mathias Catholic Church in New Orleans and lived in various cities throughout their marriage including New Orleans, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Fairfield (CT) and ultimately the Washington, DC area (Burke, VA), where Molita resided for 43 years. Molita was a strong and supportive partner to Arthur, whose career after the Navy included positions as a pilot for TWA, and executive leadership positions both at GE and Avco Lycoming-Textron. After a 50-year marriage, Arthur predeceased Molita in 1998.

Molita is survived by three children -- daughter Stephanie Burrows Giannotti (Vincent), her twins Arthur Joseph Burrows, Jr. and Kymberlee Burrows Dwinell (John); four grandchildren--John Dwinell (Lauren), Madison Burrows Lenge (Matthew), Griffin Burrows, Christopher Giannotti (Kelly); three great grandchildren – Leighton Dwinell, Weston Dwinell, Brooke Giannotti; and nephew Michael Seippel.

She was an active volunteer at St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church in Springfield, VA, where she would arrive at 7 a.m. to prepare the church for early Mass services. Also a gifted seamstress, Molita designed and sewed clothes, draperies, Christmas tree skirts, and various household furnishments for her family throughout their lives, including hand sewing 10,000 pearls on to her daughter’s custom-designed wedding dress. She created hand-made Christmas ornaments and was also known for her exhaustive culinary skills that were seasoned by her New Orleans upbringing (jambalaya and her signature French Remoulade sauce). An avid sports fan, she loved the Washington Football Team so much that on several occasions she had suite seats on the 50 yard line and enjoyed special parking privileges.

Services will be held at St. Raymond Penafort Catholic Church, 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA on August 6th at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in Molita Burrows name to Cancer Research Institute (Link: https://www.cancerresearch.org/join-the-cause/donate/one-time-donation) or give a gift of an unexpected act of kindness for someone in need…and do that in Molita’s name. She will love it!