Gay Burnette Maurice

Gay Burnette Maurice, 85, of Harrisonburg, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Gay was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Gay Burnette Maurice was a quiet presence—but her mind and hands were always busy, creating, fixing, and organizing. Family was at the center of her life—not only her husband of 65 years, Ross "Buddy" Maurice Jr., and their three children, but also her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her own mother, and her two sisters. Gay's days were filled with the work of caring for her family, managing her home with the efficiency of an executive, and finding ways to infuse warmth and creativity into her daily life. Gay balanced her practical, organized nature with a creative spirit that found expression in everything from piano lessons to making fabric sculptures to art journals filled with her poetry, pen sketches, and painted scenes. One of her favorite creations was a six-foot soft sculpture of a human skeleton, which she hung on the inside of a closet door. For years, whenever she had visitors, she would open the door and act surprised to find him there, saying, "Oh well, everyone has skeletons in their closet!" Her home was her palette and she filled it with vintage treasures. Her love of baking filled the house with the aroma of homemade cakes, from wacky cake to oatmeal cake to applesauce cake. There was always cake—and often more than one. Having a birthday? Gay made a cake. Church get-together? Gay made a cake. Is it Monday? Gay made a cake. Gay was never without piles of books and magazines. She particularly liked books about health, crafts, decorating, cooking, and anything how-to. As her kids were growing up, she made weekly trips to the public library a family routine. All three kids are avid readers today because of her influence. Her children and family remember her strong belief in the value of independence and practical life skills. Her daughter Robin recalls, "When I was in high school, Mom insisted that I learn to type and to sew. My college graduation gift was a sewing machine! But she was also adamant that a woman should always have the ability to earn money and financially support herself. She was right. In fact, she was usually right." And her son Dale remembered, "From a very young age, Mom encouraged me to cook. I learned so much from her. Today, I love to cook, and I don’t cause too many fires, thanks to her lessons." She also insisted that Dale learn to type—a skill that came in handy in computer science. “When I was fifteen years old, Gay surprised me with a gift of taking driving instructions, so I could get my license,” said her sister Jessie. "I will always remember the trust that Gay had in me. Gay and I always had some great conversations, and I really miss this! We were always basically on the same page on so many things." Gay was a lifelong learner, taking classes in art, woodworking, creative writing, and photography, and her home was filled with the charm of her creations. She loved animals and nature, even advocating for the neighborhood ducks by having "duck crossing" signs installed. When her daughter relocated back to the East Coast and temporarily moved back home with her cat Teddy, Gay rearranged all the furniture in the house so Teddy could see out of the windows. Her dedication to learning and creativity left an indelible mark on her family and community, whom she served through church volunteer work, Sunday school teaching, and organizing events that brought people together. "I will forever treasure the time we shared together, and especially her encouraging poems, cards, and letters,” said her granddaughter Kimberly. “Her creativity was always an inspiration, and I'm grateful she taught me to work through life's struggles and joys by turning to the arts for expression, healing, and connection." “I admired Mom for her determination,” said her son Chris. “She had always encouraged me to follow my dream in whatever interested me. She was the best mother that I could have ever had. She made me for who I am.” In her final years, Gay’s began to lose her eyesight, enduring many surgeries, including the removal of one eye. Becoming blind was a particular sorrow for her because it slowly robbed her of her great love of reading. She struggled with the large font on her Kindle and finally accepted audiobooks and discovered a love of fiction. Gay also wrote poems, often inspired by family events and nature scenes. For a while her minivan had a personalized license plate that said “IAPOET.” In her own words, from her poem “Autumn”: The leaf, the acorn, and the twig Are a family. Each is so different with special contributions. As a whole, working together there is strength And unity, Forever a memory each to the other. Until in the autumn of life Each will fade away to make room for the Next generation. As the world turns... As life continues... And from her poem “Renewal”: New life, new hope, new joy, new strength Arise from the ashes of the old. As winter gives way to spring, Possibilities unfold. Gay Burnette Maurice's life was a testament to the power of creativity, compassion, and the bonds of family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her for her warm spirit, her tireless commitment to loved ones, and her endless enthusiasm for learning and self-expression. Gay leaves behind three children, Chris Layton Maurice and his wife Cynthia Maurice of Raphine, VA, Robin Maurice Wedewer and her husband Harry Wedewer of Huntingtown, MD, and Dale Ross Maurice of Virginia Beach, VA; and grandchildren Kimberly Maurice Newton, Benjamin Ross Wedewer, Hunter Lund Maurice, Blake Harris Maurice, Sarah Suzanne Maurice, and Daniel Keegan Maurice. She is predeceased by Katherine Elizabeth Maurice and Bradley Alexander Maurice. She also leaves two great-grandchildren, Hazel Rose Newton and Harlow James Newton. A visitation for Gay will be held Monday, November 11, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462.