It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother, Janet Theresa (Burdette) Risgin. She passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 11, 2023 at the age of 76. She was the loving and devoted wife of the late John E. (Jack) Risgin. She was the loving daughter of the late Everette A. and Helen M. (Long) Burdette, born on March 31, 1947 in Washington D.C.
Mom was the second oldest of five children and during her younger years, her family lived in a few different states before moving to Bakersfield, CA. There, she attended South High School, graduating in 1965 then went on to study nursing at Bakersfield College. It was during this time she met and married our Dad with whom she shared 48 years of marriage until his passing in November of 2015.
After marrying, they moved to Dad's home state of Massachusetts, eventually settling in Mattapoisett to raise their family. Wanting to stay at home with her young children, Mom decided she would take on caring for other children as well, thus starting what came to be known as the biggest babysitting ring in Mattapoisett. From toddlers to teens, for many years, our home was constantly full of kids, chaos and fun. Mom's routine was no nonsense yet, at the same time she happily put up with so very much of it. Our home was the Village Hub for all kids. It certainly was a fun-filled way to grow up. Thanks Mom.
As her children grew, Mom focused more on her family. She was a very proud and dedicated, sports Momma who absolutely loved cheering on her two boys during all their many, many, many football and basketball games. She was also slightly proud and very thankful that her daughter simply managed to survive her teens and realize early enough that Mom was, in fact, always right.
Once her children were skillful enough at pretending to be independent, young adults, Mom finally decided it was time to focus on herself and pursue her life long dream of becoming a nurse. It was a dream she selflessly put aside to be a wife and mother. She worked full-time as a CNA at Village Court in Mattapoisett, attended classes in the evenings, studied hard and was still always there for her family. In December of 1997 Mom proudly graduated from Southeastern Technical Institute as an LPN. She worked so hard to accomplish her goal and we were so very proud of her. She was so proud of herself.
Mom loved geriatrics and began working at the Atrium Nursing Care facility in Middleboro. She absolutely adored her patients. She did have her favorites but loved, cared and advocated for them all. Anyone who ever worked with her will tell you, she was amazing at her job. She truly loved being a nurse. Unfortunately, in 2004, Mom suffered a devastating illness which nearly took her life. She was hospitalized for 3 months and even though her Doctors were impressed by her recovery, she was still unable to return to nursing and the patients she cared for so deeply. That was so hard for Mom.
Within the next couple of years our parents retired down South moving into Sun City in Bluffton, SC. They thoroughly enjoyed the sun, fun and friends they made in their new community. After our father passed away, Mom returned to Massachusetts to be with her children. She was sad to leave her life in SC but happy to be back with her children and grandchildren. Mostly the grandchildren. She just loved being a Grandma.
Our Mother was an amazing person. To know her was to love her and it's difficult trying to condense her life into a few paragraphs (ok, more than few). She was so many wonderful things. She had a great sense of humor with all the sass, sarcasm and wit to match. She was an amazing tennis player with a wicked serve. She was pretty, darn good at bowling. She was a football coach's wife. A loyal and devoted sports fan who loved her Red Sox and especially her Patriots, even though #12 did break her heart a little. She did get over it. Mom was a wonderful friend and a loving daughter, sister and Aunt. She was honest and tough but always forgiving. She was beyond patient but, if you ever did manage to make her mad, you'd be instantly scared and realize it was definitely you who messed up. She was kind, selfless and generous. She loved people. She especially and unconditionally loved her family. She was fiercely protective and completely devoted to us and would sacrifice anything to make certain we had everything. And she often did.
In her later years, physically, things became more difficult for Mom but she never, ever complained. She endured so much yet was always happy, always positive and always smiling. Mom had an amazing smile. She would find joy in the smallest of things and saw silver linings everywhere. She was grateful for everyday. She was the strongest, most resilient woman we will ever know. We are beyond blessed and grateful to have had this wonderful woman as our Mother. She will be lovingly remembered and so terribly missed everyday for the rest of our lives. Our Mom's favorite color was yellow. Yes, yellow. So bright, cheerful and happy, just like her soul. We love you, Mom.
Mom leaves behind her three children, Jill K. Risgin and Antonio Botta of Wareham, John A. Risgin and his wife Leanne of Dartmouth and Joseph E. Risgin and his wife Julie of Franklin. She also leaves behind five, beloved grandchildren, Dylan Zell, Adrienne Risgin, Ethan Risgin, Jamison Risgin and Ruby Risgin. She is survived by her four siblings, Gary Burdette of Scottsdale, AZ, Sharon Francis of Bakersfield, CA, Steven Burdette of Pleasant Hill, CA and Deborah Burdette of Tulsa, OK. She also adored her many nieces and nephews.
A wake service will be held to honor our Mother on Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 4pm to 7pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In keeping with Mom's wishes, she will be cremated with her ashes to be scattered at a later date along with our Father's.