Obituary of June Reinertsen Burns
- June Reinertsen Burns, 75, passed away at home surrounded by family on October 12, 2016 following a lengthy battle with amyloidosis.
She was born August 17, 1941 in Delhi, NY to Leif and Mildred (Kittle) Reinertsen. Raised on the family farm on Reinertsen Hill in Bovina, she spent a memorable childhood surrounded by music and a large extended family. She attended Bovina's last one room schoolhouse, District #4, through fourth grade before attending and graduating from Delaware Academy in Delhi in 1959.
Following high school, she attended Broome Community College where she received an Associates Degree in Dental Health.
On July 29, 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, John (Jack) Burns. Together they began a lifetime of adventure, traveling, and skiing throughout North America and Europe. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage with a family celebration. Throughout their life together, June and Jack were surrounded by many friends with whom they enjoyed frequent social gatherings.
For several years, June worked as a dental health teacher in local school districts before beginning her own bed and breakfast business. She ran the Country House Bed and Breakfast for nearly 20 years where she formed many lifetime friendships. She was a past member of the Delaware County Bed and Breakfast Association, serving a term as President.
June loved to ski. Most winter days, she could be found on the slopes skiing with friends while working on the ski patrol at both Bobcat and Plattekill ski centers.
June was at the center of the community of Bovina, attending any and all town functions. She served the community she loved dearly as a member of the Bovina Town Board, a Trustee of the Bovina UP Church, a Sunday School teacher, an election inspector, and a member of the Bovina Cemetery Board.
Having no children of her own, she held a special place in her heart for her Bovina nieces and nephew as well as being "Aunt June" to many other Bovina children. Sleepovers, pond parties, hot dog roasts on top of Bobcat, learning to ski, silly songs, skits, and beauty pageants are just some of the cherished memories.
She is survived by her husband, Jack; her two sisters, Lee Marie Burns and Norma (Anthony) Gabriel; her sister-in-law, Norma (Fred) Phillips, her mother-in-law, Agnes Burns; her aunt, Gertrude Hall; her nieces and nephews, Paul (Maria) Phillips, Nancy (Chris) Sutter, John (Kitty) Phillips, Amy Burns (Tom Lamport), Colleen (Ken) Heavey, Lisa (Jason) Stanton, Monica (Mike) Liddle, and Kyle (Michele) Gabriel; and several great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Robert Burns, and her nephew, Mark Phillips.
Calling hours will be held Friday, October 14 from 6 to 8 PM at MacArthur Funeral Home in Delhi. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 15 at 12 noon at the Bovina United Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Garrett Vittorio-Schindler officiating with special music by Rev. Marena Vittorio-Schindler. June was always up for a good time, so, following her wishes, please join the family in a celebration of her life at the Bovina Community Hall following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bovina UP Church or to a charity of your choosing.
