Obituary of Ellen Joanne Burress
Her Legacy… Ellen Joanne Burress “Jo” passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, December 15, 2018. She was 85. Jo was born March 2, 1933 in Portland Oregon to Reverend E. James Cain and Mae Marie Cain. She was a teacher, a musician, an avid gardener, a cyclist, and a great cook, among many other things (such as climbing Mt. Lassen 8 times and riding her bike up Mt. Diablo and climbing Mt. Fuji in Japan). She graduated Class of 1951 Oroville High School, received a Bachelor of Science from University of Redlands and later earned her teaching credential at San Jose State University. Jo taught Biology, Math and General Science in her early teaching career. She taught at Oroville Adult School for 15 years, “retiring” in 1996. At the Adult School she helped develop the GED/Diploma class, which she said was “the best of all jobs she ever had”. Before moving back to Oroville in 1980, Jo worked for seven years as a Manager/Cook for church camps and retreats, which provided her family with some beautiful places to live: Camp Chinquapin and Camp Pinecroft in the Sierras; White Sulphur Springs in St. Helena CA; and Westminster Retreat in Alamo CA. Jo married Rex Eugene Burress in 1957. Their daughter Rebecca Jo was born in 1959, and son Benjamin Starr in 1962. Jo and Rex raised their young family in Berkeley and Oakland CA before moving to Alamo CA in 1974. Jo was highly involved in church life. She enjoyed singing and playing hand bells in the choir at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oroville. She also played organ and piano. She was a gifted musician who also played violin and taught guitar. Her church “home” in Oakland was Lakeshore Avenue Baptist church where she made countless friends as a young woman.
Her Family… Jo leaves behind Rex, her husband of 61 years; daughter Rebecca McNeil Freeman (Kirk) of Davis and son Ben Burress (Kat) of San Leandro; granddaughters Maya Johanna McNeil, Keelan Alexandra McNeil and Samantha Celine Burress; her sisters Alice Mastelotto of Oroville and Millie Zediker of Montana, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Jo made many dear friends in her lifetime. Jo was above all things kind and generous to her family, friends and strangers. She also had a great sense of humor that never left her. Even during the 10 years she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, she was pleasant, thoughtful and humorous!
Her Farewell Service… A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2350 Foothill Blvd. Oroville California on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 3:00 in the afternoon.
Her family extends much appreciation to the compassionate care of Prestige/Expressions Oroville Staff and Feather River Hospice in the final two years of her life.
Arrangements are entrusted to Oroville Funeral Home (530) 533-0323