Loren Sue BURTON

Loren "Lori" Sue Burton (nee Levy), aged 63, of Grand Blanc, MI. February 25, 2014 at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, of complications stemming from a minor illness. Through horticulture, nursing, artistic endeavors, mentoring and parenting, Lori fostered curiosity and camaraderie in everyone around her. She dedicated her life to growing things. With her husband Stephen, she raised and taught their children and built a loving community network of family and beloved friends. Born April 29, 1950 in Detroit, MI to David Saul Levy of Norfolk, VA and Shirlie Rhoda Levy (nee Shaw) of Detroit, MI, Lori grew up in Detroit and Southfield, MI with five siblings. A talented student, she graduated from Southfield High School and earned a degree in nursing from University of Michigan. Lori worked as a practicing nurse in Arizona on White Mountain Apache reservation; in Philadelphia, PA; and in Akron, OH, where she was engaged to Dr. Stephen (Steve) Burton. They wed in 1976 and moved to Flint for Steve's medical practice and to start a family. They raised three sons: Andrew (1978), Jason (1980), and Aaron (1985). Lori was an energetic and logistic dynamo for her family, deepening her connections with her husband and sons with far-reaching travel, special meals, shared projects, and heartfelt communication. She loved fishing as a way to keep close to her kids and to the memory of her father David ("Papa"). Lori's lifelong passion and struggle was her art. Lori maintained a semiformal studio art practice most of her adult life. She worked in an astonishing variety of materials and media: paintings, sculptures, carefully curated object collections, and the perennial garden she cultivated masterfully. Those close to her celebrated her technical mastery and her distinctive, surprising, and playful creative style. Lori is survived by husband Dr. Stephen Burton of Grand Blanc, son Andrew (Chicago, IL), son Jason (Detroit), and son and daughter Aaron and Sara Wille Burton (Nagoya, Japan); mother Shirlie Levy; sister Robyn Weltman (Robert Weltman), sister Vikki Rothchild (Arthur Rothchild), brother Jonathan Levy (Camille Levy), and sister Lynne Dee Levy; and sisters-in-law Bonnie Firestone (Richard Firestone) and Carol Burton. Lori's memory is honored by many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as members of her art community. Funeral services will be 11am Friday 2/28 at Temple Beth El, 5150 Calkins Road, Flint, MI 48532, Rabbi Karen Companez officiating. All are welcome to join the interment, which will take place at Beth El Memorial Park Cemeteries, 28120 6 Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152. Family will sit Shiva from sundown on Saturday 3/1 until sundown on Sunday 3/2. "Lori had a way of seeing what was special in each person and speaking to that specialness." To honor Lori's memory please consider donating to one of these initiatives which were important to her: James C. Mumby Art Supply Scholarship, The Foundation for Mott Community College Make personal checks out to The Foundation for Mott Community College, including "James C. Mumby Art Supply Scholarship" in the memo line. Mail to: The Foundation for Mott Community College, 1401 E. Court St. Flint, MI 48503. Online donations and additional information at: http://www.mcc.edu/foundation/fmcc_index.shtml Partners in Personal Assistance Donate online: http://www.annarborppa.org/donations.php Make personal checks out to "Partners in Personal Assistance" and mail to: 3810 Packard, Suite 100B, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Include "In Memory of Loren Burton" in the memo line. "Gujja Ting African Art" Youth Art Initiative, Uganda Donate online via Paypal: send payments to gujjatingafricanart@gmail.com Make personal checks out to "Gujja Ting African Art" and mail to: Gujja Ting African Art, 1966 Crestwood Dr., Caledonia, WI. 53108. Include "In Memory of Loren Burton" in the memo line.

Funeral Service

Friday, February 28, 2014 12:00 AM
Temple Beth El
5150 Calkins Road Flint 48532, United States