Josephine C. Nolan-Zirk

Josephine (Josey) C. Nolan-Zirk, 80, of Burlington, passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 2025. She was born on January 31, 1945, in Brattleboro, VT, the daughter of Joseph and Ernestine (Braga) Gambero.
Josey graduated from Rice High School and the Fanny Allen School of Nursing. She worked for several years as an LPN at Starr Farm Nursing Home before beginning a long and fulfilling career with New England Telephone Company, where she retired in 1998 after 28 years of dedicated service.
She is survived by her children: Shawn Nolan; Sharon Lyman and husband Michael; Kelly Barton and husband Dave; and Jodi Verba; and by her stepchildren: Donna Pitts and husband Doug; Dianne Quatrocci and husband Dave; Tricia Leone and husband Steve; and Tara Zirk.
She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Corey and wife Danielle Verba; Kasey Goodrich; Alex Kreissle; Taylor Nolan; Dan Pitts; Brittany Pitts; Elizabeth and husband Scott Feenan; Amanda Cota; Nate and wife Anna-Lena Lafountain; Justin Zirk; Emily and husband Jacob Gebo; Miles Burgess; and Nora Burgess; and great-grandchildren: Barrett, Sawyer, and Delanie Verba; Cooper and Hadley Goodrich; Elizabeth Kreissle; Harper Titus; Teddy Feenan; and Oliver and Sunny Gebo. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Josey was predeceased by her husband, George Zirk; her parents, Joseph and Ernestine Gambero; her siblings, Barbara Stokesay, June Haluska, and Norman Crady; her grandson, Kyle Pitts; and her great-grandchildren, George and Fern Gebo.
Josey lived for her family. Hosting holiday gatherings was her specialty-she always went all out. Everyone looked forward to her famous lasagna and her crockpot meatballs and hotdogs. A true social butterfly, she never missed an opportunity for dinner out with friends, daily coffee at McDonald's, or a trip to the casino. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who were lucky enough to know her.
A special thank you to the staff at Cathedral Square Assisted Living for the loving and respectful care you provided. You are all amazing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cathedral Square Assisted Living Activities, in honor of Josey's love of trivia and community.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Ready Funeral Home 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at St. Mark's Church, 1251 North Avenue, Burlington, with an interment to follow at New Mount Calvary Cemetery, 79 Plattsburgh Avenue, Burlington.
A reception luncheon will follow at the Burlington Elks Lodge, 925 North Avenue
Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. To send online condolences please visit www.readyfuneral.com.