Joan Burrichter

On Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 92 years of age, Joan Meehan Burrichter passed away peacefully with her beloved husband P. Paul Burrichter at her side.  Joan and Paul were married in December 1956 and enjoyed 64 years of faithful marriage.  Joan was born on August 27, 1928 in South Philadelphia to James Meehan and Eleanor (Carroll) Meehan.  Joan grew up in Drexel Hill, PA and attended St. Andrew’s E.S. and graduated from Holy Child Academy in 1946.  Joan was drawn to the Sister’s charism and their love of faith and learning.  She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Child, served as a novice and taught elementary school in Spanish Harlem, NYC as well as schools in the Philadelphia area.  She studied Science at Villanova University, Fordham University and Rosemont College.  She was one of the first woman to earn a B.S. degree from night school at Villanova.  After 8 years and before final vows she parted with the Order and returned home.  There Joan and Paul found one another and were married in December 1956.  Joan and Paul brought the gifts of faith and learning to their marriage as they raised their family of six children in Aston and Westtown, PA.  They were founding members, faithful stewards and engaged in the spiritual life of S.S. Simon and Jude Church, West Chester, since 1964.  Joan and Paul enjoyed friends and family and many, many holiday celebrations throughout their marriage.

Joan is survived by her husband P. Paul Burrichter and her brother Robert Meehan (Vienna, VA) as well as five children, daughter Eleanor (Burrichter) Zerbato and husband Thomas Monastra, Chadds Ford, PA; son Paul J. Burrichter and wife Kim (Elliott) Burrichter, Drexel Hill, PA; son Dennis Burrichter, Ambler, PA; daughter Claire (Burrichter) Toland, Havertown, PA; and son Andrew Burrichter and wife Paula (Megan) Burrichter, Richmond, VA.   Joan and Paul celebrate and love their 12 grandchildren; Justin Zerbato, David Zerbato, Robert Zerbato, Rachael Zerbato, Elizabeth (Burrichter) Arginteanu, Emily (Burrichter) Vorstadt, Andrew Burrichter, Mary Kate Burrichter, Robert Toland, Grace Toland, Dante Burrichter and Georgia Burrichter as well as 4 great grandchildren.  Joan and Paul loved spending time with and spoiling their grandchildren.  They celebrated birthdays and holidays together and often traveled great distances to be with them.  Joan is remembered fondly as simply Nana by her grandchildren.

Joan was preceded in death by her brothers Barry and Sonny (James) Meehan, her father James and mother Eleanor her son Carl (1979) and son-in-law G. John Zerbato (2013).

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 18, 2021 at S.S. Simon and Jude Church, West Chester, PA with a visitation for friends and family at the church beginning at 10:00 am.  This mass is followed by burial at St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester, PA.