Jo-Ann Burnham, 79, of Vero Beach, passed away on peacefully on Sept. 28, 2014, in her home in Vero Beach.
She is survived by her siblings Sharon Bolen and James Sharkey; five children; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents James and Margaret Sharkey.
Burnham was born March 21, 1935, in Grosse Pointe, Mich., where she grew up and attended Academy of the Sacred Heart. She continued her education at Michigan State University where she majored in education. As a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Burnham sang in their chorus and continued her lifelong avocation as a volunteer to help those in need.
In 1956 she married Robert Burnham and together they moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., and had five children: Heidi (Nick) Leone, Susan Burnham, Robert Burnham, Amy Elizabeth (Bobby) Tsironis and Catherine O’Connor.
In 1968, Burnham began a 17 year career at Mazda Great Lakes, where she built lasting friendships and became a Eucharistic Minister at the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids. In September of 2012, she was diagnosed with cancer, and braved through the next two years with her loving daughter Susie, and support from family and friends, especially her dear friend Mike Andochick.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 3, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach. Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A full obituary and guestbook can be accessed online at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.