Mary Lee Burton Obituary (1919 - 2006)

To view a video tribute for Mary Lee Burton, please click here. Mary Lee Burton passed away on July 27, 2006, joining her husband John and her daughter Bennah in the loving arms of Jesus. Lee left this life the way she lived it, peaceful and serene, surrounded by family and friends. Lee was born on August 9, 1919, to Wallace and Venera Henegar in Hugo, Oklahoma. She married the love of her life, John T. Burton on October 23, 1944, and raised their two children, Bennah Venera and John Wallace Lamont, in a succession of military towns. Lee and John moved to Utah in 1962 and settled in Toole. All along her life’s journey, Lee opened her heart and her home to everyone who came into contact with her, and there are many who consider her a second mom. Lee was an active member of Tooele Methodist Church, and many remember her as the friendly face they saw behind the register at Hood Walgreen’s and Dave’s Drugs. She was very creative and loved to bake and to craft, making gifts and keepsakes for her friends. Lee is survived by her son, Wallace Burton (Dianne), her grandsons Ian Burton (Megan) and Gordon Burton, and great-grandson Devin Burton, all residents of Salt Lake County, granddaughter Brooke Burton of Asheville, North Carolina, her son-in-law Jeff Burtt of Los Angeles, California, and her “adopted” daughters, Xochi Madera, Mary Bera, and Sandy Jean Gianetto. Lee is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her daughter. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff and members of the Riverton Beehive House, especially Tim Westley. The family also extends special thanks to Kathy Jackson and Lori and Taylor, who opened their home and made Lee’s final days comfortable. The Jackson family were of great comfort to us during Lee’s passage from this life to eternity. A viewing will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 8575 South 700 East, Sandy, Utah, at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, with memorial services to follow at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held at the Tooele City Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Lee’s lifelong habit of making every child her own, donations are requested to Children of Peace International, P. O. Box 2911, Loveland, CO 80539-2911.