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Valerie S
It was my pleasure to work with Christy. She was a vibrant lady & is greatly missed & will continue to be missed. I miss her “hi-ya’s” & her rare smiles and laughs.
Art Wallen
I will always remember Christy’s energy and wit, and want to send my sincere condolences to her family.
Jeanne McKinnon
I’m so sorry for your loss. It takes a very special person to enjoy the smallest of joys, like a good sneeze. It sounds like anyone was fortunate to have made her acquaintance. May she Rest In Peace.
amy vollmer
What a blessing Christy was to me and to her Tacachale family. I will forever be grateful for her presence in my life. I will miss her so but carry her with me always! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Tim Vollmer
I will be forever thankful for the many moments of Joy that Christy brought to my wife Amy for many years
Greg Valcante
Of all the remarkable persons I have met, Christy is one of the most remarkable. I learned so much from her. She was most blessed to have such a loving family. I was blessed to have know her. Greg Valcante
Jessica “Jay” Davis
I’m so glad I was able to be apart of her life. We have so many great memories together and I will cherish them forever! I will miss her amazing smile, great sense of humor, contiguous laugh and mostly the love she had for me. My heart goes out to Burgess Family during this time. May you Rest In Peace Bird
Jessica “Jay” Davis
I’m so glad I was able to be apart of her life. We have so many great memories together and I will cherish them forever! I will miss her amazing smile, great sense of humor, contiguous laugh and mostly the love she had for me. My heart goes out to Burgess Family during this time. May you Rest In Peace Bird 🕊
Michael Love
I am so sorry for your loss. What a lovely remembrance you have shared of Christy and her happy, full life.
Cynthia Boatright
Sending many prayers, and much love to the family. I have many warm memories of Christy.
The Boeks
Sending our condolences and love to the Burgess family. May you find peace in knowing Christy is reunited with her dad.
Christina Dorothea "Christy" Burgess
2022-03-14
Christina Dorothea (Christy) Burgess, 47 years old, of Fernandina Beach and Gainesville, FL, passed away on March 14, 2022 in UF Shands MICU in Gainesville, FL.
Christy was born on February 8,1975 at Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville, FL to Cervera Ann Ferreira Burgess and Granville Cheveley (Doc) Burgess.
Christy grew up as the fifth generation of her family in her ancestral home in Fernandina Beach. She graduated from high school in 1996. In 1997, Christy moved to Tacachale in Gainesville, FL. Christy lived in Progress Home and was employed by Starlight Industries in a sheltered workshop.
Christy loved Dr. Pepper, Tootsie Roll Pops, chocolate, and Italian food, especially meatball subs and red sauces. Christy only spoke a few words, but her signature phrases were “Hi-Yah”, “Naw”, “Wah-Wah”, and signing please and thank you. She used her iPad for communication and loved to wear a hoodie sweatshirt with pockets to carry around her favorite things. She was very observant, strong-willed, and independent. She had an acute awareness of time and knew her routine. Christy loved greeting people, appreciated a good sneeze, and had a great sense of humor.
In addition to her family, Christy was fortunate to have two major support systems. Throughout her education, Christy received amazing services from the Nassau County School District’s Exceptional Student Education Department and the teachers and staff at Emma Love Hardee Elementary School. She moved to Tacachale where she continued to receive exceptional care, love, and support. Tacachale was able to give her opportunities she could not have experienced elsewhere. She blossomed at Tacachale and loved the staff, her work, and the community.
In her free time, Christy loved being in her Progress Home. Her favorite pastimes were sitting on the porch looking at her magazines, watching videos, dancing to sign-alongs, and listening to music, especially 60s oldies. She liked going to the canteen to buy Dr. Pepper and snacks; walking to the park, chapel, and activity center; swimming in the pool on the property; growing plants in their greenhouse; participating in Special Olympics, especially bowling; going to the Waldo Flea Market; shopping at the mall; and relaxing in the gazebo. She enjoyed watching parades, community dances, gospel concerts, and the lighting of their community Christmas tree.
Christy leaves behind her mother, Cervera Ann Ferreira Burgess; her sisters, Kari Sherman Burgess-Watkins (Ray Watkins) and Katherine Cervera Burgess (Ryan Thompson); her aunt, Dorothea Ferreira Stillwell; her uncle, Louis Anthony (Tony) Ferreira III; and her nephew, Cheveley Burgess Watkins.
Christy is preceded in death by her father, Granville Cheveley (Doc) Burgess; her paternal grandparents, Ruth Sherman Humphreys Burgess and Edwin Cheveley (Buddy) Burgess, Jr.; her maternal grandparents, Billie Dorothea Corbett Ferreira and Louis Anthony Ferreira, Jr.
A private celebration of Christy’s life will be held in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to Friends of Tacachale Fund for Progress House/Facility 8, 1621 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville, FL 32609.
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