Lois Gosnell Burch

Lois Gosnell Burch, 74, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2016. Lois was born January 22, 1942 in Takoma Park, MD to the late Arthur (Jimmy) Gosnell and Mae Baker Gosnell. She served as Worthy Grand Matron, Order of the Eastern Star of MD from 1982-1983 and Grand Royal Matron, Order of the Amaranth of MD from 1993-1994. Lois served 6 years on the HOA board of the Planters Walk Community of Knightdale, twice as president. She was active in the community watch and social projects. Lois was a member of the Wendell Chapter #87, Order of the Eastern Star and Dogwood Court #11, Order of the Amaranth.

Lois is survived by her husband, Raymond Burch; brother, Wayne S. Gosnell (Toni) of Hagerstown, MD; niece, Theresa; nephew, Michael and other family members.

Father Leo wanted to talk to me about this ceremony. After a few pleasantries He
asked how long we had been married and I replied 35 years but we knew each
other for 15 years prior to marrying. He said oh, then you had been with her for
50 years .1 threw up my hand and said NO, we had 35 years of married life
together, she lived at home the other 15. We did it the old fashion way!

Lois always said that she knew I was the one she was going to marry after our
second date but she had other things to do before tying the knot. She wanted to
travel. She was confident that I would wait - as usual, she was correct ---I'm glad I
waited but she could have cut her travels short ..

There is so much I can say about those thirty five years. Father asked for one
specific experience that I would tell him about her. I thought and said there was
not one that comes to mind. After 35 years plus, we thought alike (most of the
time), did our things together, were active members in both the Star and
Amaranth ... we really become one.

Lois's life was really a simple one. She did not want expensive things. Her kitchen
skills were honed when she cooked Lions Club dinners for 45 men. She really
never learned to cook for two. In fact, she avoided the kitchen frequently. Her
mother's cooking spoiled her. One of our first meals was hot dogs and beans.

Her belief in God was strong. When I told her I had decided to come back to the
church, she encouraged and supported me. WE occasionally attended mass
together, she was a baptized Episcopalian. She was disappointed she could not
share in the Eucharist and said she would convert when the Catholic Church
started to ordain women as priests. With Pope Francis - who knows when or if.

She was a 17 year cancer survivor. When she met the surgeon to discuss the
surgery and what she should expect, she told HIM not to worry. God has
something else for me to do. He just has not told me what. I will exceed the 5 to
7 year expected survival rate for this ... God and Lois were definitely one.

Lois was gifted with talented fingers. What she did with the keyboard was
amazing. She studied piano since an early age. She discovered that she could get
away from kitchen duty by practicing. She played on the concert stage and earned
a diploma from Peabody conservatory of music. After graduating from high
school, she took all of her classical music and placed them in storage. She made
this decision so she could play for recreation, and enjoyment, whatever and
wherever she wanted. She shared her music with the elderly. She took over a
choir at The Wellington Nursing Home. For 15 years they brought joy to each
other. She selected music from church hymns. Country western ballads, Broadway
and even some rock and roll. She challenged them and they rewarded her and
others by sharing their talents. Every year, they gave two 14 song concerts. She
had to give this up when her feet failed her. It broke her heart.

She was passionate about the Ameranth's special project, finding a cure for
diabetics. How much she helped earn and what she personally added was never
enough. This decease took her father and I am sure contributed to her death.

Family was as  important in her life. She cared for her mother for 8 years, traveling
back and forth to Maryland every 3 weeks. She knew every bump on 95. In so
many other ways, she helped others, the young lady who needed money for
books, the young couple who were just starting their life together with dishes, gas
money for emergencies and just wherever it was needed. I really do not know the
extent of some of this but I just knew it was her and because we were one it was
me too!

Lois, I guess I have talked about you long enough. I know I told more about you
then you would ever do and it just scratches the surface. You were a beautiful
person, loving, kind and generous. My My love for you will still be strong and I
know you will give me direction when I ask.

In 1982 Lois wrote the following as part of my farewell address as Worthy Grand
Matron of Maryland.

"Wisely enough God does not let us skip ahead in the story of our lives, but
rather leads us page by page, line by line, and note by note to its
understandable conclusion"

I will leave you with the motto a followed for the last 35 years ... 1 found it on the
cover of a photo album that was a wedding present:

To dream beautiful dreams

And to strive for them with alJ your heart

To take your talents and to use them wisely and welJ
To live, laugh and to give with joy

And to look forward to each tomorrow

That is what it is to truly live.