Originally from Elmwood Park, New Jersey, JoAnne Dill learned to read and memorize poetry at her mother’s knee. A voracious reader, she showed an avid interest in Broadway, performing in school plays and traveling to “the City” to interview stars for her school paper.
Her affinity for the arts grew into a defining through-line. She studied Voice, French, and earned a Masters Degree in English Literature. As an English teacher and drama coach in South Jersey, JoAnne developed a reputation for the high quality of school plays and musicals she directed. In her “spare time”, she acted and sang in dinner theater. She had a beautiful singing voice, knew a wide variety of show tunes and could spontaneously break into song (typically with comic flourishes!) She wrote prize-winning poetry (Poet’s Page, California State Poetry Society) and her booklet, Somewhere Between . . . a year in poetry, can be found on the shelves of the Orange County Friends Meeting library.
JoAnne grew up Presbyterian, but her interest was caught by the historic Woodbury Friends Meetinghouse on Broad Street, built in 1715. Once she had attended her first Meeting (at age 36), it was the members themselves, especially the older, weighty Friends (some homebound) with whom she began to spend time. She found herself drawn to the values of peace, equity, integrity and community, and admired the way Friends had integrated these values into daily life presently and throughout history. She also appreciated the respect that Friends in unprogrammed Meetings held for each person’s individual connection and understanding of the divine. After attending for a few years, she knew she was ready to become a member. One Friend recalled how JoAnne would occasionally rise for ministry, and beautifully recite a poem that would somehow capture the overall sense of the Meeting.
The love of her life was August Burns whom she married in her 40s. The couple moved to Newport Beach, California, traveled frequently, and summered at their lovely farm in New Hampshire. JoAnne focused on reading, writing poetry, Quaker service, and rescuing and caring for her beloved cats. When Augie became ill after 20 years of marriage, she found the knowledge gained from a Respiratory Therapy Certificate to be quite beneficial. After he passed, JoAnne continued to spend happy hours with Augie’s sons Duke and Chip, daughter-in-law Bobbi and other cherished friends and family. This typically included an annual trip to Broadway!
On January 22, 2012, we at Orange County Friends Meeting (California) were delighted to receive, then enthusiastically approve JoAnne Burns’ request to become a member. For a number of years, JoAnne had been an active and much loved part of OCFM, always arriving on Sundays extra early, so that there would be hot coffee and goodies ready when the “official” opener arrived!
Over the years, Jo Anne served as our representative for Orange County Interfaith Network. She attended the OCFM Craft Group and Book Group, led the Poetry Group, and served on various committees: Nominating, Ministry & Counsel, Facilities, and Hospitality (as clerk.) She was an enthusiastic supporter of OCFM’s participation in Pride events and the Irvine Harvest Festival, arriving early to set up our booth, then moving about through the crowds to engage attendees in conversation. She bought and individually wrapped requested gifts, so that mothers and children sheltering from domestic violence at Human Options would have nice things to give one another for Christmas. All was done with extraordinary warmth and cheer.
One Friend put it this way: “People need more than a church- they need a family.” Perhaps more than any other member, JoAnne worked to achieve this sense of family within the Meeting, through her characteristic warmth, humor, a limerick contest, and so much more! Another Friend recalled his dismay upon realizing that JoAnne made everyone feel special- not just him. Upon reflection, he recognized what an honor it was to have a friend with the gift of making everyone feel special. It seemed that all who attended JoAnne’s memorial found unity with this sentiment!