Margaret Burgess

Margaret S. Burgess, 96, died on July 8, 2012, at Waterford Place Assisted Living facility. A resident of Montgomery since 1951, Mrs. Burgess is a native of Canton, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Charles Asbury Burgess, her son, Ralph Grady (Sunny) Burgess, her brothers, Ralph and Lawrence Suter, and a very special sister-in-law, Rita Suter. She is survived by her niece, Caroline Connor and her husband, Steve; Great Niece and her namesake, Margaret Caroline Connor Spitale, husband Tim, and daughters, Mattea and Sophia; Great nephews Patrick and Michael Connor, all of Canton, Ohio. Nephew Lawrence Suter and his wife, Marlyee, Great Niece and nephew, Ryan and Hannah Suter of Memphis, Tennessee. Special friends Ann Riddle and Richard Hanan who were legal guardians of her beloved “Sunny” for twelve years before his death; and Rosalie Morrell, her faithful Home Assistant for 49 years, of Montgomery, and a wealth of many, many dear friends. She worked for the Federal Government at Maxwell AFB for 28 years. After her retirement, she was a volunteer at Seton Haven. She ultimately was made a staff member and worked there for 16 years. Working with the elderly, her work at Seton Haven was especially enjoyable and rewarding to her. She was a member of the Blue-Gray Civitan Club, St. Ann’s Society, the National Association of Federal Employees, and the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. She was a very devoted and active member of St. Bede’s Catholic Church and she served as an extraordinary Eucharistic Minister at Holy Mass. One of her greatest accomplishments was her involvement in the Montgomery Association for Retarded Citizens. She was a driving force in the initial development of educational, recreational, vocational, and community living programs serving children and adults with mental disabilities in the Montgomery area. Her service impacted not only the local area but state and national levels as well. She continued to provide leadership and inspiration to literally hundreds of parents who followed her. In August, 2001, the newest facility in Montgomery serving this special population was named in her honor as the Margaret S. Burgess Center. She has been an inspiration to many, many family members, staff members, and to many teenagers who have chosen to enter the field of teaching our special population and serving persons with mental and physical disabilities. Funeral Mass will be said at St. Bede’s Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, and Interment at Greenwood Cemetery at 2:00 p.m., Monsignor Charles Troncale officiating, Leak Memory Funeral Home directing. Visitation at St. Bede’s 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McInnis School, 520 Buckingham Drive, Montgomery, AL 36116, or to one’s favorite charity.