Deborah M. Burwick

With great sadness, we announce the death of Deborah Millman Burwick on September 20 at the age of 87. An amazing wife, mother, and friend, Deborah sparkled, always finding the bright side and living life to its fullest. Her husband and her family were her greatest pride and joy. Deborah will be remembered for her kindness, creativity, generosity, sense of humor, and the wisdom of her advice.

Married to Jerry for 65 years, they loved travelling the world, returning with fascinating stories of their adventures. Deborah wasn’t shy about participating in all that life had to offer. Her family will fondly remember her quest for ice cream sundaes, free cookies and last-minute discount theater tickets. She was affectionately known as “Lucky” to her grandchildren and her oncologist.

She found joy in playing tennis and bridge, attending book group and shopping at the wholesale flower markets with her condo committee. Through these activities - as well as her time in school, work and her neighborhoods – she formed many long-lasting friendships. In her career she taught school and then later, after completing a master’s degree, counseled battered women, college students, and immigrants who needed job skills. Never conventional, she found great success by incorporating arts, music, meditation, diaphragmatic breathing and exercise into her lessons.

She is survived by her husband Jerry; daughters Laura Burwick (Peter Brandt), Jodi Franklin (David); sons Murray Burwick (Sheryl), Jordan Burwick (Sarah); and grandchildren Jake, Tyler, Hannah, Joshua, Seth, Ethan, Gideon and Margot. She is also survived by her sister, P. Sheila Millman and predeceased by her parents Rose and Murray Millman.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 26 at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon at 11:45 AM.

Shiva will immediately follow at the home of Jodi and David Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Deborah Burwick may be made to the Gynecology Oncology Gift Fund. Gifts can be made online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/ or mailed to the MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Checks can be made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital, with tribute to Deborah Burwick on the memo line or to Care Dimensions Hospice Care at www.caredimensions.org