Tressa Jane Burnett

Tressa was born in Norman to James Armour and Esther Louise Ward. She was a proud big sister to her brother, James (Jay) Armour Ward Jr. Tressa spent her teen summers at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado, where her mother was in charge of food services. That’s where her love for the outdoors was fostered. She graduated from Norman High School and the University of Oklahoma (B.S. Education). She married Marvin Dean Burnett in 1960, relocated to Lovington, NM, and had four children. While in New Mexico she became a Girl Scout leader, and those friendships never faded. The Burnetts returned to Norman and she taught at St. Phillip Neri (Midwest City), George Lynn Cross Academy, West Oaks Academy, and Children’s World (Norman, OK). She loved the teachers she taught with and the hundreds of wonderful students.

Tressa was spunky. She enjoyed birding, OU football, crafting, traveling, and music. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by children Chris & Dion Burnett, Tim & Yvette Burnett, Deena Parsons, and Susan & Frank Joa, and grandchildren Ashley & Mark Mathis, Emily & Dan Castellanos, and Cy Harris.

Graveside services are scheduled for Monday, March 29 at 2pm at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Norman. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rocky Mountain Biological Research Institute at https://www.rmbl.org