Mrs. Jacqueline “Jackie” Ruth (Winters) Burney, beloved mother, wife, and nanny, passed away peacefully on Nov. 11, 2024, in her home in Greenbackville, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was surrounded by loved ones in the time leading up to her passing.
Jackie was born in the Kensington section of Philadelphia on July 27, 1943. She was the only child of Leon and Ruth Winters (Cunningham) and attended St. Basil’s Academy in Philadelphia. After high school, Jackie moved several times before settling in Brodheadsville, Pa., in the late 1980s.
Jack is survived by her soulmate of over 32 years, Robert Stanley Burney, as well as by her children (in order of age, not whom she liked the best), John (Suzanne) Pio, of Kure Beach, N.C., Marybeth (Tim) O’Flynn, of Bear, Del., Patrick (Jill) Pio, of Brodheadsville, Lori (Joel) Jacques, of Stoughton, Mass., Michael (Gina) Pio, of Kunkletown, Pa., Susan (Keith) Wiercinski, of Perkasie, Pa., Matthew (Finnah) Pio, of Haddon Township, N.J., and James (Kelly) Pio, of Media, Pa.; stepchildren, Glenn (Valerie) Burney, of Paris, France, Bruce (Cary) Burney, of Milwaukie, Ore., and Doug (Ashley) Burney, of Effort, Pa.
She was the best nanny to her grandchildren, Hannah, Jake, Sara, Roscoe, Libby, Sydney, Gunnar, Quin, Gage, Riley, Layla, Josephine, Lincoln, Lucas, Evelyn, Xavier, Seamus, and Simon, and stepgrandchildren, Jaya, Tenzin, Nash, Logan, and Evan.
After a long and storied real estate career in the Poconos, Jackie and Rob moved to Greenbackville to enjoy retirement on the water. They spent their time boating, traveling, and hosting all the kids and grandkids on various weekends.
Jackie was a port in the storm for her kids throughout their childhood into adulthood. She had an infectious giggle and a vibrant smile and could be counted on to share motivational wisdom passed down from her mother (and she was right, her children really could do it themselves).
Jack was an active member of the Catholic church and never missed Sunday mass. She was always fashionable and had at least three hot pink blazers to show for it (all with reading glasses and business cards shoved in the pockets).
Jackie was abundantly patient and forgiving, as one must be when you have eight children who were all blessed with their own charming personalities. She took great joy in watching her grandchildren teach their parents lessons in patience as well.
Jackie was eternally hopeful and optimistic. She went so far as to ask her youngest daughter to pay rent when she moved back home after college, and while said daughter never did pay her rent, it’s this kind of optimism that exemplified Jackie’s life. She was a celebrated artist, whether through makeup or the bunny she drew on everyone’s lunch bags growing up, and had a refined palate as long as she was served a can of Coke with a straw, a Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie, and a bowl of ice cream.
A Jimmy Buffet fan, Jack may be the only person to go to a Jimmy Buffet concert three times but only see the show once. To paraphrase Jimmy, “Some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but she had a good life all the way.” Her family members are eternally better people for having had Jackie in their lives.
Her family finds comfort in knowing that she will be reunited with her beloved mother, Ruth. “Until we meet again, Jackie (Mom, Nanny) … we love you.”
A funeral mass will be held for Jacqueline in December at Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville. Details will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jackie can be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.
