Connie Burnham

Constance “Connie” Burnham was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a loving, compassionate woman with a heart of gold. Even though she was a home-body, she was still a volunteer in many service organizations. She was passionate about her love for animals, her family and Jesus.

Born April 15, 1934 in Plainwell, Michigan to Edward and Cassie Brown, Connie was the elder of two girls. Edward and Cassie worked hard to raise Connie and her younger sister, Alice. Edward was a maintenance worker at Fuller Manufacturing and Cassie was employed as a nurse at the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. The years following Connie’s birth were known as the Great Depression. Even though these were difficult economic times, it was still a good time for bringing up a family in America. Connie played with her friends and attended Kalamazoo Public Schools. In school she loved the subjects of English and spelling. She also loved stories, especially those written by the author, Andrews. Connie attended Otsego High School, but didn’t have a chance to graduate at that time.

Connie met a handsome young man named Gordon Burnham. They enjoyed driving up and down Burdick Street when they first went out together. The attraction between the two was mutual and they were anxious to get married. They honeymooned at Niagara Falls before starting their married life together.

Over the years Connie and Gordon brought six beautiful children into the world: Annette in 1955, Gordon in 1958, Garry in 1961, Gerry in 1962, Kathy in 1963 and Eric in 1969. While she was pregnant with Eric, Connie was diagnosed with uterine cancer. With support and determination, Connie was able to beat her illness.

Connie was kept very busy. Not only did she care for her husband, her six children and the house, she also had pets to attend to. Jenny, the Cocker Spaniel and Bandit, the cat added to the fun and chaos! She also found time to volunteer as a Brownie, Girl Scout, and Cadet Troop leader with her friend Diane DeZoete, (although she lost her taste for Thin Mints). She was also involved in the March of Dimes and UNICEF during Halloween. She volunteered her time at the Trinity Lutheran Church as well, where she was a Church leader and helped with the Easter morning breakfast.

In the summer, Connie and Gordon packed up the kids and spent their time on Scotts Lake in a trailer. Even though Connie didn’t like swimming or being outdoors, she was there for Gordon and the kids. The hours spent at the lake became treasured memories for the whole family.

In 1987, Connie decided it was time to go back to school and earn her high school diploma. She graduated at the top of her class from Parchment Adult Education. (This is where she met her good friend, Virginia Lindsey).

During Connie’s free time she loved to watch CBS soap operas, the 6:00 news and Reverend Robert Schuller from the Crystal Cathedral. She also enjoyed the coffee get- togethers with the ladies in her church.

Holidays were important to Connie. At the beginning of the holiday season, Connie could be found attending the annual Christmas Parade with her family. She enjoyed having all the relatives get together for a traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings. For the Fourth of July she loved watching the firework displays.

When Connie and Gordon became grandparents, they reveled in that role just as they had in the role of parenthood. They kept apprised of their grandchildren’s activities, staying involved in their lives and helping out in any way they could.

Later in life, Connie worked for a while at Diapers Unlimited with her daughter-in-law, Sandy. She also took care of her mother at home when she needed extra care.

Connie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a warm, loving person, always willing to help. She was also a hard-headed, spunky prankster with a great sense of humor. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Constance “Connie” Burnham died October 18, 2008 in Kalamazoo. Learn more about Connie and visit with family and friends on Tuesday from 11AM until time of service at 12Noon at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-6080 Stadium Drive-Kalamazoo, 375-2900. Besides her parents, Connie is preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Gordon Sr, and daughter in-law Joyce Burnham. Surviving are her children: Annette (Wink) Mull of Lindsey, OH, Gordon (Sandy) Burnham Jr. of Kalamazoo, Garry (Lisa Mario) Burnham of Parchment, Gerry Burnham, Kathy (Bryan) Hermenitt, Eric (Brenda) Burnham all of Kalamazoo; sister Alice (Walt) Ritchie of Kalamazoo; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; 3 nephews and spouses; and many close friends. Please visit Connie’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial contribution to Senior Services.