“She was just always enthusiastic — one of those bright spots,” said Karen Plaut, chairwoman of the department of animal science. “She had a zest for life. You came into a room and Jeanne would always bring people together and make them feel good about what they were doing.”

Burton, who came to MSU in 1996, specialized in immunology through cow birth and cows’ stress genes and how the genes respond. According to a MSU press release, Burton organized the Second International Symposium on Animal Functional Genomics, which brought internationally recognized genomics scientists to campus. She also worked to earn MSU a USDA National Needs Fellowship grant, which funded four graduate doctoral fellowships.

On her faculty Web site, Burton listed her responsibility as “10 percent teaching, 90 percent research.”

Burton was diagnosed with the cancer in May and underwent three chemotherapy treatments.

“It was fairly sudden and fairly short,” Plaut said. “It was brave. She fought hard, but it was such an aggressive form of colon cancer that it took her.”

Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, spoke to Burton in the early stages of her illness.

“She was very upbeat and positive,” Armstrong said. “I understand from her husband that she maintained such a remarkable attitude throughout her illness. She was such a remarkable example for others that have to go through this disease.”

Burton’s family could not be reached by The State News Tuesday night.

Catherine Ernst, associate professor of meat animal genetics, began working with Burton in the mid-1990s.

“Our laboratories were adjoining in the basement of Anthony Hall so we developed our programs together when we started as assistant professors,” Ernst said. “Jeanne began her position before I did, so I stayed at her house when I was looking for a place to live and she helped me find my way around the Lansing area.”

Ian Gray, vice president for research and graduate studies, had a hand in bringing Burton to East Lansing and said the university “will be losing an outstanding” researcher and scientist, as well as a friend.

“She was really one of the faculty who was transforming the animal science department,” Gray said. “She was at the beginning of an illustrious career in animal research. But losing a good friend and classy individual — that’s the critical factor.”

Friend and former co-worker Lorraine Sordillo said she cherishes the memories she has of relaxing with Burton around a campfire at Burton’s northern Michigan cottage.

“She was one of those people with so much charisma that everybody wanted to be around her at functions or social gatherings,” Sordillo said. “She was also a very caring person and would be the first to help out a friend in need.”

Most of Burton’s co-workers, family and friends had already left for Mancelona, Mich. on Tuesday for the Wednesday afternoon funeral services. A memorial service to honor Burton will take place at 3 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the Alumni Memorial Chapel.

Burton is survived by her husband, Paul Coussens, an MSU professor of animal science and microbiology and molecular genetics.

Joey Nowak can be reached at nowakjo2@msu.edu.