Gladys Elvira Burt

Gladys Elvira Burt Merm - as she is best known by many - was born May 12, 1920 in Trelew, Chubut, Argentina; and, surrounded by children, passed away in Danville, CA on February 15, 2011. She was living in Buenos Aires when she met her future husband of 49 years, Stanley Andrew Burt, while he was serving there as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She waited for him to finish his mission, then waited two more years while he served his country in the Philippines before she emigrated in December of 1946. They were married in Salt Lake City, UT on January 29, 1947, and lived in Southern California until moving to Danville in 1974. They raised six children, all surviving - Edward Stanley Burt, Janis Lynn Kozak (Matt), Dennis Leslie Burt, Sherrin Lee Phillips, Mark Andrew Burt (Melinda), and Crystel Jayne Burt-Toland. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Always industrious, in mid-life she became a cosmetologist and worked at that for 40 years, shaping not just hair but loyal friendships as well. An innate eye for beauty was reflected in her keen observations of nature, in her highly stylized penmanship that people often thought was from a printer, in her various knitting projects that have kept people warm for eight decades and counting, and in the paintings that fill her home. She had a quick wit and an opinion to match, so while she could be strict she also loved to laugh herself to tears. She enjoyed the company of others and comments like, ""She's so sweet!"" or ""I just love your mother!"" were common. She is greatly loved and deeply missed by generations of friends and family. Services will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2949 Stone Valley Rd., Alamo, on Tuesday, February 22, with a viewing from 11:00 to 11:30 and funeral at 12:00 noon. Internment will be in Brigham City, UT. Visitation Tuesday, February 22, 2011 11:00 am-11:30 pm