SHIRLEY JANE (KLEIST) BURCH
Shirley was born at home in Souderton, PA, July 3, 1933, died at home in Riderwood Village, Silver Spring, MD, August 23, 2015; she now rejoices in her eternal Home. She is preceded in death by her parents Harriett H. (Jones) Kleist and Dwight E. Kleist, brother Dwight E. Kleist, Jr., sister G. Elizabeth “Bette” Olson, and beloved husband Douglas H. Burch. She graduated from Juniata College and the U. of Penn School of Nursing. Shirley served as a pediatric nurse at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital and the Children’s Hospitals of PA and Washington, D.C. Wed to Doug in 1966, they made a home in Rockville. She is survived by daughters Susan Jane (Gary) Burns, of Sacramento, CA, Jennifer Marie Burch (Kenneth Fleak), and grandson Riley Fleak of Roxborough, CO; and sister Dorothea “Dottie” Rowden. She served in many volunteer and leadership positions at Glenmont United Methodist Church, Rockville’s historic Glenview Mansion, and beyond. She traveled to almost every U.S. state and adventured to more than a dozen countries. In later life she was active in Riderwood’s Circle Fellowship and other community groups. Shirley’s final journey with pancreatic cancer was blessedly brief. Her family is grateful for the steadfast love and support of her dear friends. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at the Riderwood Chapel, 3110 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, MD, on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 11 a.m. Memorial gifts may be made in her honor to Riderwood Benevolent Care Fund, United Methodist Women, or Trees For Life.
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