Blanche Lorraine Burton

June 12, 1922 - August 13, 2021

Blanche “Lorraine” Burton, age 99, of Gaithersburg, MD, passed away on August 13, 2021. Lorraine was born on June 12, 1922 in Iaeger, WV to Roy Lee and Florence Callahan. She had seven siblings (2 sisters and 5 brothers) and they grew up in Kermit, WV (where she graduated from high school) and Williamson, WV. Mom was the last survivor of all of her siblings. At age 19 and just as World War II was breaking out, Lorraine rode the train from Williamson, WV to Washington, DC seeking a better work opportunity. She got a job at the Washington Navy Yard as Cafeteria Cashier. During that time, the Navy Yard was bustling. Mom always said she loved meeting all the people and the city atmosphere in Washington and she thrived within the Washington, DC social scene. Through the years, Lorraine raised her children primarily as a single parent, enduring and overcoming many of life’s struggles and hardships along the way. However, Lorraine’s endless devotion to her family never faltered and will always be remembered and cherished. For 19 years until her retirement in 2001, Lorraine worked at the Bon Wit Plaza Condominiums in Northwest Washington, DC as the Front Desk Administrator. She was well respected at Bon Wit, and she made numerous friends with whom she kept in contact. When she retired at age 79 Lorraine moved from Northern Virginia to live with her youngest son, Phillip, in Gaithersburg. Lorraine is survived by her five children Jerry Lynn Burton, Nancy Filipek, Pamela Hartzog, Constance Khan and Phillip Clarke, nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Mom, you have been our family’s rock. We will miss you and always love you. Beginning at 11:30am on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 a memorial visitation/reception followed by a memorial service at 1:00pm will be held a Loudoun Funeral Chapel 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA. Lorraine had a particular affection for animals and was a long-time contributing member of the Humane Society. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to www.humanesociety.org or alternatively, mail-in donations can be sent to: The Humane Society of the United States 1255 23rd Street, NW Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037.