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Isabel K. Burroughs
Isabel K. Burroughs
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Isabel Katherine Burroughs, affectionately known as Izzy, a lifelong Madison resident, entered eternal rest on Thursday, September 28, 2023. She was 67.
Isabel is survived by her loving mother, Lottie Burroughs; her beloved son, George Burroughs; her sisters Michele and Sarah Burroughs; two uncles, Louis Watkins (Addie) and James Bruce Watkins(JB); two aunts, Linda Burroughs and Virginia Watkins; two nieces, Nicole Richardson (Darnell) and Keva Holman; two great-nephews, Noah and Conor Richardson; and many other extended family members and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, George Burroughs.
Isabel was born in Morristown on August 4, 1956, and raised in Madison. She was an all-around athlete in each sport she played at Madison High School: softball, basketball, and field hockey. Her athleticism earned her attention from colleges in the area. Isabel attended Trenton State College (TCNJ) on a full basketball scholarship but unfortunately had to leave due to a knee injury. She then served her country honorably in the United States Army as a drill sergeant.
Isabel adored her family and was incredibly close to her mother. She enjoyed helping others in her community and regularly volunteered at the First Baptist Church and the Community House in Madison, doing yard work and snow removal for her neighbors. Isabel enjoyed working as a Central Supply Coordinator for Care One in Morristown. Her Care One co-workers were her second family. She filled the building with her Izzyisms and laughter.
As one close family friend described, "She was the LIFE of everything!" She never met a stranger. Isabel loved everyone. Everyone she knew was given a nickname, and she was always quick to make a joke and fill a room with laughter. Isabel also enjoyed watching football, especially her Jets, and playing the lottery. Her vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her; to know her was to love her.
A memorial visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at First Baptist Church, 36 Cook Avenue, Madison, NJ. The memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with military honors. The repast will be at the Madison Community House directly after the services.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Isabel's name to the First Baptist Church of Madison, 36 Cook Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Madison Memorial Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Eileen Wynder
September 27, 2024
My friend it´s been a year since you went home to be with Lord and Savior. It still doesn´t completely register with me! I was thinking of all the times I´ve called you and you made sense of whatever it was I was talking about/dealing with. I had to laugh at the memory of the time that I called you crying, almost uncontrollably too. You listened to me explain that I didn´t know what was making me so sad and had me crying. You asked me, "Aren´t you getting ready to turn 40!", I told you I was, and you said, "Well that´s what´s the matter!". I was like, "Oh, okay!", and I stopped crying. You always listened and knew what to say and/or do! I´m so thankful for the friendship we shared! You are always in my heart..
Eileen Wynder
December 15, 2023
My first memory of Isabel was when I arrived at my Basic Training unit. She ever so nicely ask me and another Recruit, "Are you the new girls"? The other Recruit said, "Yeah"! Isabel (Drill Sergeant Burroughs), opened her mouth w er so wide and yelled, "Yeah! Yeah!" She scared us so much we took off running out the front doors of the building and cleared all of the steps! LOL! Great memory of a great human being, and great friend!
Pvt C Harris
October 25, 2023
Is this the same Sgt. Burroughs that served at Ft Leonard Wood, Mo in the early 80´s (see picture)? If so I have many memories of her as my drill instructor!! Most famous, her lifting my top bunk mattress every morning at 4:00 AM, yelling "Harris, wake up!" right before my feet hit the floor! Plus many, many more! Condolences to her family and friends. My prayers are with you.
Pvt Harris
D Platoon, Oct 1980
Maxine Olidge
October 6, 2023
Sister Lottie and family,
Grief is so overwhelming, so all-encompassing, so unending, so painful that I know your heart is laden with grief in the loss of your darling daughter, Isabel. Remember that our Heavenly Father is your shield, your strong tower, and your stronghold; He will console and comfort you and strengthen your faith, and He will comfort all as you console and comfort each one during this difficult time.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who've fallen asleep in him.
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Wendy Watkins
October 4, 2023
Sweet Jesus, take this message to my dear cousin Isabel. Tell her how I'll miss her and give her all my love. Our family is incomplete without her, as long as my heart beats, she will live on.
William Cooley Jr.
October 3, 2023
The Burroughs sisters each cheerfully helped my family as baby sitters when my father pastored the First Baptist Church of Madison on Cook Avenue while he simultaneously pursued his M Div at Drew University. Belle was athletic, street savvy and always looking out for my sister and me. I think of her fondly and I truly grieve her loss.
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