Students called her Mrs. B. She was Jeannie to fellow teachers. She was Jean Burgess — Nellie Jean (Badida) Burgess. She taught in the Fair Haven schools for 33 years. The valued longtime Fair Haven wife, mom, teacher, colleague and friend to many passed away peacefully on Jan. 28 in Chester, VA. She was 73.
“Always the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave in the afternoon,” Jeannie taught at both Knollwood and Sickles schools. Known as a devoted, loving teacher, she was the 1990 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching in the state of NJ.
“Her means to positively touch the lives of others was her God-given gift.
Family of Jeannie Burgess in her obituary
She believed teaching came from the heart, influencing many of her students with her enormous capacity for empathy and overwhelming desire to help them achieve success.
She was truly able to find and capitalize on the best qualities of each student while compassionately and honestly supporting them to grow in areas that needed improvement.
She was enthusiastic about her students even when it came to lesson plans and room décor. If it was to be taught Jeannie had it covered … literally … somewhere on one of her many bulletin boards.
Every month was a different theme and she highlighted holidays, students work and her daily lessons.”
With the news of her death, social media was flooded with messages of condolence and appreciation for the longtime popular teacher and friend to many.
Called a “favorite” teacher countless times over, inspired students and friends wrote of their memories of the woman who was forever Mrs. B. to them …
“Oh I’m so sad to hear this news!” said former longtime Fair Havenite and teacher Colleen Dougherty Doogan. “I loved my fifth grade teacher so much!! Mrs. B was awesome and truly inspired me to be a teacher!”
Longtime Fair Havenite Donna Volker had Mrs. B in fifth grade at Sickles School and “(I) still have the patchwork pillow she helped me make … She had such a beautiful soul …”
She “will forever be a part of my wonderful memories of growing up in Fair Haven,” said Kristie Graybill Kelty whose father, John Graybill, was also a Fair Haven schools teacher.
“She was one of my favorite teachers of my life!” said Betsy Connolly. “Her enthusiasm, her inspiration was infectious … She loved being a teacher, mentor and friend.”
“My sixth grade teacher at Willow Street,” said Peter Mauger. “One of the best I had. Condolences and prayers for the family. RIP, Mrs. Burgess.”
“Mrs. Burgess was an awesome teacher … just amazing all around a heart of gold. Rest on Mrs. B. Job well done here,” said Vivian Lee.
More about Jeannie Burgess …
Born October 28, 1947 in Spangler, PA, Jeannie grew up in Perth Amboy, where she met her husband of more than 50 years, Ronald Burgess. They married and lived in Williamsburg, VA for a time while Ron completed Law School at The College of William & Mary.
It was in Williamsburg that Jeannie found her passion for teaching at Bruton Heights Elementary School and was honored in 1972 with the Outstanding Elementary Teaching Award that year.
Jeannie & Ron moved to Middletown, and later became residents of Fair Haven, where she continued her teaching career until her retirement in 2002, when her and her husband Ron moved to Kitty Hawk, NC in the Outer Banks.
It was there Jeannie’s family grew and she took on her favorite title, “Grammie” to her four grandchildren.
There, “Jeannie enjoyed days at the beach with her Yorkshire Terriers, crafting, and playing winning slot machines when she could find one,” her family said in her obituary.
She and Ron moved to Chester, VA in 2016 to be closer to family.
She is survived by: her husband Ronald; her daughter, Nicole (Burgess) and son in law Eric Smith, of Chesterfield, VA; son, Bradford and daughter-in-law Maggy Burgess of Baltimore, MD; and her beloved grandchildren, Samantha Smith, Brady, Betty and Benjy Burgess.
There will be a celebration of life at a later date once COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Saint Gertrude High School,12829 River Rd. Richmond, VA 23238
Rest In Peace, Mrs. B. You are remembered.
— Edited obituary provided by the Burgess family. Photos/Burgess family.
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