Obituary of Valera E. Burnham

BURNHAM , VALERA E. BENNETT Age 90 of Elmira Heights , NY passed away on Monday November 30 , 2015 at Bethany Manor. Valera was born August 28 , 1925 in Elmira , NY the daughter of the late Curtis M. Bennett and Mary Estelle Thomas Bennett . She was one of twelve children . Val was a graduate of Southside High School Class of 1942 and attended Strong Memorial School of Nursing in Rochester , NY. She married her husband , Robert D. Burnham , on November 1, 1947. Valera was one of the first employees hired at J.C. Penney at The Mall and retired as Floor Manager. She had been a long-time Blood Donor for The American Red Cross and volunteered at The Elmira Heights Library for many years. In addition to her parents , Valera was pre-deceased by her son Raymond F. Burnham in 1985 , her daughter Karen Burnham Aldrich in 2007 , and her granddaughter Meaghan C. Herrity in 2008 , and several brothers , sisters , brothers-in-law , and sisters-in-law . She loved her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with them. Mrs. Burnham is survived by her husband of 68 years Robert D. Burnham ; her children: Susan & Ronald Bailey of Horseheads , NY, Janice & Jim Herrity of Yorktown , Virginia , and Robert M. & Catherine Burnham of Elmira Heights , NY ; former son-in-law and wife : Dan & Beth Aldrich of Wilson , NC ; 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren ; sisters and brother-in-law: Ileana (Stanley) Coole of Elmira , NY and Carol Green of Horseheads , NY ; sisters-in-law : Jane Bennett of Elmira , NY and Betty Bennett of Corning , NY ; several nieces , nephews , cousins , and a host of caring friends. Valera's family would like to thank the entire staff of Bethany Manor Skilled Nursing Unit I for their love and compassionate care given Val during the last five years. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS , NY on Thursday December 3 , 2015 from 3-6 PM. Mrs. Burnham's Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday December 4 , 2015 at 11 AM with Rev. Beverly Wales officiating. Interment in Fitzsimmons Cemetery in Elmira , NY. In lieu of flowers , those wishing to remember Mrs. Burnham may do so through memorial donations to The Meaghan C. Herrity Charitable Foundation 110 Terrance Circle Yorktown, Virginia 23693 or The Elmira Heights Fire Department 215 Elmwood Avenue Elmira Heights , NY 14903 . Words of Condolence and Memories may be sent to www.lynchsfuneralhome.com .