Shirley Burnham

Shirley Kearney Burnham, 89, wife of the late Frank Spalding Burnham, died in Lynchburg on Saturday May 10, 2014. Born October 29, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Thomas F. Kearney and the late Hannah D. Kearney of East Windsor Hill Connecticut. Shirley was predeceased by her older brother John T. Kearney also of East Windsor Hill, Connecticut.

Shirley graduated as salutatorian of her class at Ellsworth High School, South Windsor, Connecticut. She and her husband made their home in Glastonbury, Connecticut for 45 years. She was a homemaker, involved with the League of Women Voters, and a Communicant of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Glastonbury.

Shirley moved to Lynchburg in 1992 to be near her daughter. She became a great fan of the Boonsboro Shopping Center spending her days at Moyanne’s, Sakina’s, Talbots, and the old Emil’s Restaurant. She loved to express to all who would listen “She was a Connecticut Yankee in the South.” Her generosity was experienced by many people whose lives she touched. Shirley is survived by her daughter, Lynne M. Burnham and her chosen daughter, Ginger R. Ramsey of Rustburg; her beloved nieces, Claire and Elaine; her nephews, Christopher, Tim, and Lloyd all of New England, her great friends, Joanne Doyle, Tammy Blair, and Maureen Winneman, and her grand dogs, Simon, Lillie, Jethro, Lexie, and Chance.

A memorial mass will be held on Tuesday May 27, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church. The family will receive friends after the mass. Burial will be at Green Cemetery in Glastonbury, Connecticut at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Central Virginia Area Agency on Aging, P.O. box 1390, Lynchburg VA 24504. The family thanks the Carrington staff for their loving care where Shirley lovingly joked she resided with “the rest of the inmates.”

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424) is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent by visiting: obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.