Obituary of Helen Mary Burns

Bovina Center Helen Mary Burns, 95, peacefully joined her Lord on April 20, 2014 at Gifford Hill Road, Oneonta, NY the home of her grandson Robert Aikens and Tera, his wife, who was her loving caretaker for the last years of her life. Born on October 16, 1918 in Petal, Mississippi, she was the daughter of Alfred and "Minnie" (Schuman) Bowen. She was one of eight children, seven girls and one boy. In her youth at Hadley-Luzerne High School she was an avid basketball player and lettered in the same. She graduated from Curtis High school in New York City in 1937. She married James L. Burns on September 2, 1938. Together they owned and operated a farm on Pink Street Rd. in Bovina until March 22, 1994 when he passed away. They raised three children on the farm. She worked by her husband's side, helping with all the chores and ran her own business of selling eggs. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Bovina Center and served as an Elder there. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, flowers and spending time with her family. She was a great cook and anyone stopping by around meal time never left hungry. Beside her husband and her parents, four sisters: Winona Boggs, Irma Pinto, Sylvia Hughes, Celeste Rasmussen; one brother, Daniel Bowen and one son James E. Burns, all predeceased her. Survivors include one daughter, Elizabeth Aikens of Oneonta, her husband Richard; one son, Thomas Burns of Bovina Center, his wife Joan; one daughter-in-law, Edith Burns of North Carolina; two sisters, Valeretta Mish of Livonia, Michigan and Melva Beckett of Corinth, NY; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. A Funeral Service for Helen will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 1:00pm in the Bovina United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Garrett Schindler officiating. Burial will follow at Bovina Cemetery, Bovina Center, New York. In memory of Helen, the family asks that donations be made to the Catskill Area Hospice of Otsego County. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so on-line at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi, NY.