Jeanette Joseph Burkett

Jeanette Joseph Burkett (Gautier), age 88, passed away on November 25, 2017, at her home in Austin, Texas.

Jeanette was born on January 8, 1929 in Austin, Texas and was the youngest child of Salem Ghaleb Joseph and Fronia Saab Joseph who immigrated to the U.S. from Lebanon in 1906. She grew up in downtown Austin where her family owned and operated businesses on 6th Street and Red River. She attended the original St. Mary’s Academy, at the corner of San Jacinto and 8th Street and graduated from beauty school in 1958. She owned and operated Jeanette’s Beauty Salons in North Austin for many years.

She was a beautiful, wonderful, lively woman who was known for her quick wit and her delightful one-liners. She lit up a room when she entered it and she touched so many people by helping them get through difficult times in their lives. She was a “designing diva” who loved cooking, sewing, and decorating her home. She was very inventive, creative and artistic. She had an unconditional love and dedication to her two children, Donna and Lee. Jeanette will always be remembered for her beauty, her smile and her fabulous personality.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Jack L. Burkett, her grandson, Lee Jay Burkett and siblings, Mary Sconci, Joe J. Joseph Sr., John E. Joseph, and George C. Joseph Sr. She found love again and married Richard F. Gautier on Valentine’s Day 1999.

She is survived by her loving sister, Marjorie Joseph, devoted husband, Richard F. Gautier, daughter, Donna M. Burkett (Rogers) and son, Lee J. Burkett and wife Joanie, grandchildren, John Paul Rogers, Jr., Dayla Burkett Rush, Leeann Jeanette Burkett, and Cody Wells and wife Sarah. She is also survived by three great grandchildren, Jordan Lee Westhoff, Drake Evan Wells, Rylee Hayden Rush, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 3:00pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral with a reception to follow at St. Mary’s Fellowship Hall. The Reverend George Joseph will officiate.

Honorary pallbearers: Patrick E. Sconci, Joe J. Joseph, Jr., Salem T. Joseph, Sr., Anthony F. Joseph, Sr., Christopher M. Joseph, Jason L. Joseph

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jeanette’s life.

The family would like to thank Halcyon Home Care for providing compassionate hospice care to Jeanette at her home for three months.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Jeanette with a donation to the Donna M. Burkett, John P. Rogers, Jr., Jeanette Burkett & Marjorie Joseph Student Professional Endowment, at the University of Texas College of Pharmacy.

Mail to or contact:

Susan Brown

UT College of Pharmacy

2409 University Ave., A1900

Austin, TX 78712

512-475-9758

[email protected]

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.