1 Photo
Marilyn J. Burden of Water Mill died at home on January 7, 2017, after a brief illness.
She was born in 1928 to Mabel (Burger) and Robert J. Kelly in Glendale, Queens, the second of three children. As a child, she spent summers at Rose’s Camp until her parents purchased the property in Water Mill that the family still owns. In 1953, she married Robert E. Burden, who predeceased her in 2002. They resided in Glendale and summered in Water Mill until they became full time residents in 1971.
Ms. Burden enjoyed spending time with her family, laughing and having fun. While in Glendale, as her daughters grew up, she served as a Girl Scout leader with them in Queens and in Southampton. She enjoyed quilting, reading and watching the birds. She was a past president of the Water Mill Museum and was one of several ladies who constructed the very first Water Mill raffle quilt in 1976. This tradition of making a “raffle quilt” to raise money for the museum led to the creation of the annual Quilt Show she chaired for many years. She was a past president of the Water Mill Community Club and ran their “Trash and Treasures” sale for several years. She was also a member of the East End Quilters Guild. Ms. Burden and her daughters owned and operated the Southampton Uniform Shops in Southampton and Riverhead.
She was predeceased by a brother, Robert A. Kelly; and is survived by a sister, Elaine Schueler and husband Charles of Glendale; and a sister-in-law, Bette Kelly.
She is survived by five children, Patricia Burden and husband Richard Verbeke of Michigan, Kathleen Krempler and husband Robert of Florida, Jeanne Bunce and husband Michael of Water Mill, Eileen Noonan and husband Thomas of Water Mill, and Robert Burden of Flanders; five grandchildren, Jonathan Eckels and wife Jennifer, Michael Bunce and wife Emily, Christopher Bunce, Allison Noonan and Sean Noonan; two great-grandchildren, Daniel and Arthur Eckels; and a large extended family of nephews, nieces and friends.
Memorial visitation will be held on Friday, January 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, January 14, 1 to 4 p.m. at O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton.
Memorial donations may be made to the Water Mill Museum, Box 63, Water Mill, NY 11976.
on Jan 9, 2017