Joanne (Burke) Coburn Obituary (1928

NEWPORT AND MERRIMACK, NH--Joanne Burke Coburn, 88, died peacefully March 18, 2017 with her beloved family by her side. She was born April 20, 1928 in Fairfield a daughter of Louis and Alice (Lutz) Burke. Joanne graduated from St. Joseph's Academy, South Berwick, Class of 1946. Following graduation, she was employed by Thayer Hospital, LaVerdiere's, and J.C. Penney. Joanne married Philip Coburn in 1951, and they became the fifth generation to operate a dairy farm at the Coburn Homestead. Jo was a devoted farm wife essential to the smooth operation of the farm, regularly joining Phil during the planting and harvesting seasons. She became the state president of the Farm Bureau Women's Organization in the early 1960's and, as such, attended the National Farm Bureau Women's Convention in Washington, D.C. The highlight of this convention was visiting the White House with the other state presidents to have tea with First Lady Pat Nixon. Jo was an avid golfer and Red Sox fan. Joanne and Phil became snowbirds in 1987 and enjoyed nearly twenty years in Florida. Joanne's favorite place was their cottage on Ripley Pond where they entertained many relatives and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who loved her family above all else. Joanne is survived by a daughter, Debra Ziemer and husband William of Merrimack, NH; grandson Michael Ziemer and wife Ellie of Carbondale, CO; granddaughter Kate Gerbode-Grant and husband Jonathan of Wellesley, MA; two great grandchildren, Grace Gerbode-Grant and Burke Aaron Ziemer; a niece and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved husband Philip and a sister and brother in law, Patricia and Robert Poirier. Friends may call from 4 to 6 P. M. Friday, April 7th at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main Street, Newport, where funeral services will be held 11 A. M. Saturday, April 8th. Spring committal services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Saturday, May 20th at the North Newport Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.