Joanne Burton

In Loving Memory of Joanne Beverly Hill Burton
December 31, 1939 – March 14, 2026
Joanne Beverly Hill Burton, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026, in Provo, Utah, surrounded by her family. Born on December 31, 1939, in Seattle, Washington, to Galen Chester Hill and Delone Jensen, Joanne brought light and love to all who knew her. She was the cherished sister of Sharon Leah Hill Albrecht, with whom she shared a lifetime of memories.

Joanne married the love of her life, Willis Murdock Burton, on August 29, 1958. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 25, 1963, a testament to their shared faith and eternal commitment. Together, they built a beautiful life centered on love, family, and service. Joanne was the proud and devoted mother of five children: Scott Tracy (Cherie Lynne Nye), Cinda Kay (Craig Morgan), Pamela Jean (Bevan Orme), Kelly Lynne (Joseph Diaz), and Margaret Adair (Scott Jorgensen). Her legacy of love extends to her 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, who were the joy of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband Willis, her daughter Cinda and grandson Bradley Gabel Burton.

Joanne’s life was a symphony of talents, accomplishments, and service. A graduate of Foster High School, where she lettered in choir, and an alumna of Highline College, Joanne was a lifelong learner who shared her knowledge generously. She was a gifted ballerina who later taught ballet and tumbling lessons in her home, passing on her passion for dance to others. Her creativity knew no bounds—she was a professional florist, a talented tole painter, a ceramic artist who gifted her children with handmade nativity sets, a skilled crocheter, and a seamstress who ensured all her children, including her son, could sew. Above all, Joanne was a master quilter, creating cherished quilts for every child and grandchild, each one a labor of love that will be treasured for generations.

Joanne’s love for learning and service extended beyond her family. She was a Master Canner and Gardener with the King County Extension Agency, where she shared her expertise at county fairs and through countless phone calls, helping others with food preservation and gardening. Her most meaningful volunteer work was as a Guardian Ad Litem, where she served as a court-appointed advocate for children. Joanne’s compassion and dedication brought comfort and hope to children navigating the challenges of the court system, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

Family was the heart of Joanne’s world. She championed her children, ensuring they had the support and resources they needed to succeed, whether it was addressing a turned foot or navigating dyslexia. She loved camping at her father’s cabin in Lester, Washington, teaching her children the joys of planning and preparing for rustic mountain adventures. Joanne and Willis shared a love of travel, embarking on cruises and visiting exotic destinations, but her favorite trips were always to visit family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joanne’s faith in the Lord was the foundation of her life. A convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a teenager, she served faithfully in many callings, teaching classes and sharing her testimony. She was a devoted student of gospel-centered books, which deepened her understanding and strengthened her faith. Family Home Evening was a cherished tradition in her home, and she instilled a love of learning and gospel principles in her children by taking them to BYU Education Week once they turned 12—a milestone they eagerly anticipated.

Joanne’s life was a testament to love, service, and faith. She lived with purpose, touching countless lives with her kindness, creativity, and unwavering devotion to her family and the Lord. Her legacy is one of quilts stitched with love, lessons taught with patience, and a life well spent in service to others.

She will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those who were blessed to know her. Joanne’s family finds comfort in knowing she is reunited with her beloved Willis and that her love will continue to surround them.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”