Lenore A. Burgess
Lenore A. Wheelan Burgess, 77, of Dallas, Texas, and formerly
of Rock Island, beloved mother, passed away Oct. 25, 2004, at
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, after a courageous battle with melanoma
cancer.
Visitation will be today, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Wheelan Funeral
Home in Rock Island. After a private burial, a Eucharistic memorial
service will be held Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in
Rock Island. A memorial service also will be held in Dallas Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston TX 77210-4486, www.mdanderson.org/gifts,
(800) 525.5841, where an account has been designated for melanoma
research, to Trinity Episcopal Church, 1818 6th Ave., Rock Island, IL
61201, or the charity of your choice.
"Lennie" was born March 20, 1927, in Princeton, Ill.,
to Anton B. Ackerson and Mabel Kolp Ackerson. She graduated from
Princeton High School, attended Stephens College and Northwestern
University where she affiliated with Gamma Phi Beta sorority and
graduated in 1949. In 1950, Lennie married Charles Richard
"Dick" Wheelan. They cherished each other and enjoyed 26 years
of marriage until his death April 2, 1976. She subsequently was married
to Dr. John W. Burgess from 1977 until 1982.
In 1950, she completed her student teaching and, while raising
her family, pursued her teaching career as a substitute teacher with the
Rock Island Public Schools. From 1967-77, she taught remedial and honors
English at John Deere Junior High School, Moline, where faculty and
students alike respected her for her devotion to learning and her
innovative teaching ideas and skills. She also counseled freshman
students and was the yearbook faculty adviser.
Throughout her residency in Rock Island, she was active in a
variety of community organizations and served on many executive boards,
including those of the Davenport Art Gallery, the Tri-City Symphony
(Junior and Senior boards), the Tri-City Garden Club, and the Visiting
Nurse Association and was a troop leader for her children's Scout
troops. She served many years as an elder and Sunday school teacher with
Broadway Presbyterian Church. In 1977, she became a member of Trinity
Episcopal Church and served on the Episcopal Church Women's Council and
Vestment Guild.
She had many fond memories of times shared with friends from her
supper and bridge clubs, and family adventures.
In 1984, she moved to Dallas and began a memorable career at
Southern Methodist University as house director of Sigma Chi Fraternity
for three years, then Delta Delta Delta Sorority for 15 years. Her
caring and always positive support for others earned "Mom" the
respect and love of hundreds of young adults and her peers. Recognitions
included a House Director of the Year award. She was an active member of
St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church where she served on the
Flower Guild, VIPs and volunteer at the Gift Exchange.
Her love of travel, classical music and floral design brought her
much enjoyment.
Her son Daniel R. Wheelan, San Diego, Calif.; and her daughter,
Elizabeth K. Wheelan, Dallas, Texas, survive her. She also is survived
by brothers-in-law, Robert and John Wheelan, their wives, Jane Almquist
Wheelan and Betsy Califf Wheelan, loving cousins, nephews, nieces and a
multitude of dear friends. Her sister, Elaine A. Soderberg, preceded her
in death.
Honorary pallbearers are Dan, Robert and John Wheelan, Ralph
Chaney, Jerry Evans and Jim Waterman.
Our lives are blessed by Lennie's love, quiet strength, dignity,
graciousness and Christian life.
(Rock Island Argus, Oct. 31, 2004)
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