Jean Flaherty Burchett

Courtesy photo

+ Enlarge

Jean Flaherty Burchett

January 16, 1929 ~ February 10, 2023

Jean Flaherty Burchett, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend and devoted wife, passed away peacefully in her home on February 10, 2023, at the age of 94. She quietly slipped out of this world to join the love of her life, Charles (Chuck) Burchett, in heaven with all her other loved ones who have gone before.  

Chuck and Jean are survived by their children, Tom (Rose), Jerry (Cynthia), Ken (Veola), Jim, Dean, Annie, Jeanmarie (Hung), 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Jean was a kind caretaker by nature whose warm and affectionate personality will be remembered by all. She was quietly efficient and had a competitive streak and a dry sense of humor. She was incredibly strong and resilient, all the while pouring out warmth and unconditional love.

Jean was born on January 16, 1929, to John and Fern Flaherty in Boise, Idaho. She had six siblings: Nell, Margaret, Marietta, Jack, Joe and Mikki. She spent her childhood in Boise and summers in Laurel, Nebraska with her aunt Alta and her grandparents.

In high school, she met Charles, a handsome young man who was on the basketball team. Charles and Jean were married on April 18, 1949. Together, they raised seven children and were married for almost 70 years until Charles passed away on March 1, 2019. They rarely fought or argued and were a model of a happily married couple – enjoying their later years in life camping and traveling in a motorhome and even working as campground hosts near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Most of Jean’s grandchildren have memories of Grandma rocking them in the rocking chair and the soothing comfort of her rocking and soft humming. She was always the one who could offer gentle, unassuming advice about caring for children, home remedies or just about anything else.

To Dean and Ann, the family extends our deepest gratitude for your daily care, love and advocacy for mom and Grandma since her diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer five months ago. Cancer is always a difficult journey. In our case it was made much easier by the care and expertise of the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Huntsman at Home team. We extend our deepest gratitude.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on February 16 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Jean was laid to rest at Eastlawn Memorial Hills in Provo.