Jean Margaret Burslem

Jean Margaret Burslem passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Texas, after a brief stay following an injury. Her daughter and son-in-law were with her as she peacefully passed away in the early evening, in comfort and aligned with her wishes. Her son and daughter-in-law were with Jean and kept company during her final morning and afternoon. Jean was born in Columbus, Ohio to Annabell Lewis Claffey and George Morgan Claffey on January 9, 1934. Jean was a 1951 graduate of Groveport Madison High School in Groveport, Ohio. Jean married Gordon Olaf Burslem (Burs) on July 21, 1956 in Groveport six months after their meeting and first date, and would be married for 47 years. Jean and Burs enjoyed dancing and recreational visits to Buckeye Lake. Jean worked as a secretary with her friend Barb at Travelers Insurance, then later at Fort Hayes during her first pregnancy. After six years in Columbus, Ohio, their marriage bore two children, followed relatively quickly by establishing a household in Massillon, Ohio in 1967 where their children were raised to adulthood. While in Massillon, Jean joined Burs in supporting the family by selling residential real estate, driving a school bus, and working in a local school cafeteria. Once the children came of age, Jean and Burs returned to Columbus in 1985 and enjoyed the local company of Jean's mother and brothers and their families for 10 years. During this time Jean worked as an apartment property manager then returned to Groveport schools for custodial work. Jean loved the number of large family get-togethers their household could host during the summers and winter holidays. Next Jean and Burs joined the company of their children and their families by moving to Grand Prairie, Texas in 1995. Jean and Burs enjoyed their new house together (and the warmer weather with much gentler winters) in Grand Prairie until Burs passed early in 2005. In Grand Prairie Jean sold tickets part-time at a local movie theater. Jean enjoyed travel and local entertainment with friends and the company of her Open Door Baptist Church community. Cruises were Jean's favorite adventure that she enjoyed with her daughter and her friends. She enjoyed senior dances and bus trips to casinos, and joined her son's family for trips to see concerts and live musical theater productions. Jean's personal needs allowed for her to join and be embraced within in her son's family's household nearby in Grand Prairie in 2020 to be provided additional personal care and attention for the final few years of her good and fulfilling life. Jean is preceded in death by her husband Burs, as well as her beloved siblings, sister Betty and brothers Ralph and Russell. Jean is survived by her two children and their families: son Jeffrey (Rebecca) Burslem and grandchildren Nick, Alexa and Greg, and daughter Kellie (David) Burslem-Santana and grandson Mason. Jean is also survived by the extended Burslem/Baker and Claffey families. Visitation will be held at Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home in Grand Prairie, Texas at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on March 26, 2024 (Tuesday). The memorial service will be held at the chapel of the Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home March 27, 2024 (Wednesday) at 11:30 a.m., followed by committal at 1:15 p.m. at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, after which she will rejoin her husband U.S. Army veteran Gordon (Burs) there in perpetual care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the name of Jean Burslem to either a Dallas-Fort Worth area non-profit dedicated to the enrichment of local young adults with autism (https://givebutter.com/5cqd43/join?code=74efecaa-cb15-4c0b-ba7c-4f891386265c), or the Tim Tebow Foundation (https://timtebowfoundation.org), or the Grand Prairie Arts Council (mail to: Grand Prairie Arts Council, P.O. Box 531613, Grand Prairie, TX 75053).

Jean Margaret Burslem

January 9, 1934 - March 16, 2024