Jane Godbee Burns of Southampton Dies October 11

Jane Godbee Burns of Southampton died peacefully on October 11 at the East End Hospice Kanas Center for Hospice Care. She was 84.

She was born on July 3, 1941, in Southampton to Lawrence and Helen Godbee. A lifelong resident of Southampton, she graduated from Southampton High School in 1959. She later attended Wesleyan College in West Virginia before marrying her husband, Lawrence “Larry” Burns, on October 13, 1962. Together they raised three children: Brenda, Tracy and Larry. They spent 34 years together before his death.

During the summers, the couple ran a fresh-cut flower stand in front of their home on Hill Street, growing all the cut flowers in their backyard. She would arrange the bouquets every morning, often accompanied by one of her grandchildren. Each winter, they traveled to Marathon, Florida, where she enjoyed peaceful walks, endless beach days, and evenings watching the most breathtaking sunsets with loved ones.

Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren, who filled her days with laughter and love. She had many hobbies, one of her favorites being knitting. She enjoyed it so much that she volunteered to make hats and scarves for the Seaman’s Church Institute. She also loved gardening, golf, playing piano, reading, and taking walks into the village with her friends, family, and grandchildren.

Among her many joys and hobbies, beach days with her family stood out above the rest. She especially loved Coopers Beach.

She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence Burns; and her brother, Douglas Godbee. She is survived by her daughter Brenda (Jack) Zaykowski; her daughter Tracy Burns; her son Larry Burns; her sisters, Lynne Burgess, Priscilla Godbee and Nanette Stillman; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.