Former Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry was laid to rest in Atlantic Cemetery adjacent to the Church Tuesday afternoon following a Monday evening visitation at Holmdel Funeral Home and a service at First Reformed Church in Colt Neck Tuesday.
Senator Vin Gopal, former State Senator John Bennett, and Muriel Smith, all friends of Burry, gave remembrances of the late Monmouth County leader which, while different, all hinged on the same attributes Lillian espoused and practiced…her goodness, her willingness to help others, her leadership, love of helping others and ability to get things done. Lillian’s sister, Alba DiBello, drew on memories from childhood through modern day about growing up and living near an older sister of such renown, giving the churchgoers an opportunity to see the more personal side of Lillian’s life.
All spoke of their personal interactions with Burry, drawing laughs over some of the amusing experiences they told, expressions of hope and sadness, as well as exclamations of approval and agreement from the filled church. Their memorials were followed by similar comments from both religious leaders at the Church, the Senior minister Rev. Scott Brown and Rev. Gene Ryan, family life minister.
The funeral service followed an evening when thousands came to pay tribute and offer condolences to Burry’s husband, Don, their daughter, Lenore and her husband. grandchildren Stephanie and Vito and their families as well as Alba all honoring Burry’s memory.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden had Sheriff’s Officers stand watch at her casket throughout the five hours the family accepted condolences. NJROTC leaders, MAST principal Earl Moore and NJROTC cadets from MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, also came in uniform to honor Burry, as did police officers from many Monmouth County municipalities.
Traffic was closed along Holmdel Road with police officers on scene to direct motorists around the busy intersection throughout the late afternoon and evening.
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