OBITUARY: Geraldine F. Burt, of Salem, Led A Remarkable Life, Born in Brooklawn; Memorial Service March 31 | cnbnews.net
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Mrs. Geraldine Frances "Gerri" Burt died on March 6th at Merion Gardens assisted living facility, Carney's Point, NJ. Mrs. Burt was 88 years old and had been a resident of Merion Gardens for 3 years. Before moving there in 2009, she had resided at 190 Seventh St., Salem NJ for 58 years.
Gerri was born in Brooklawn, NJ on November 17th, 1923, the daughter of Harry Edward and Reine Bee Hannan. Her family moved to Grafton, West Virginia shortly thereafter and she attended elementary and high school there. In high school she was active in the Thespian and Debate Societies.
She was a member of the Venture Club, Salem Women's Club, and the Girl Scout Council. Gerri then began a career in education that spanned the next 23 years. She started as a third grade teacher at Grant Grammar Elementary School, then a guidance counselor at Salem High, Vice Principle of Curriculum at Salem Middle School, Director of Elementary Guidance at John Fenwick School, and finally as Chief School Administrator at Elsinboro Township School. She retired from Elsinboro school in June 1988. During the early part of her work in education, she earned a Master's degree in guidance and curriculum from Glassboro State College. She has been a member of Memorial Baptist Church, Salem, NJ since 1951.
Gerri has served in the following organizations: Salem City Juvenile Conference Committee Friends of the Salem Country Guidance Center Old Boys Club of Salem County, Board of Directors Salem County Education Round Table Salem City Welfare Board Salem County Memorial Hospital Volunteer Salem County Red Cross Salem County United Way Board member, Salem County Vo-Tech School Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Society Salem City Library Board She has held the following elected offices: Salem City Board of Education (President) Salem City Council She has received the following awards: Key Award for Community Service - Delta Kappa Gamma Society Salem County Woman of Achievement Salem Martin Luther King Award Salem Community College, Person of the Year for Community Service.
In addition to community service and education, her personal passions were her family, the theater, reading, her membership and the music at Memorial Baptist Church, and the Salem Legion band.
Mrs. Burt is survived by her son Patrick, daughter-in-law Amy, and granddaughter Sarah; all residing in Plymouth, Minnesota. She also has cousins Laura Lee Callahan and J. David Thayer and a niece, Ann Plattner. There will be a public memorial service at the Memorial Baptist Church at Broadway & Seventh St. in Salem at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 31st. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 10:45 AM. Contributions may be made to Memorial Baptist Church or the United Way of Salem County. Through her career in education and membership and leadership of numerous community organizations, Gerri Burt was able to significantly improve the lives of the students and citizens of Salem.