Elaine Georgia Burney

Elaine Georgia Burney passed over into her Savior’s arms on August 29th, 2025 at the age of 89. She was born on June 4th, 1936 to proud parents George and Anna (Senchuk) Lupanoff. She was preceded in glory by her husband, David H. Burney, in 2013, as well their son Kevin, in 1995. Remaining family include children David R. and Lynnet (Westerlund) Burney, Brian and Cheryl (Kulesza) Burney, grandchildren Job and Rachel (Burney) Zhang, Nathan Burney, Kimberly (Burney) Pullen, and Rebekah Burney, great grandchildren Lydia and Priscilla Zhang, brother Conrad Lupanoff and sister Rick and Myra (Lupanoff) Walton, sister in law Tina Lupanoff, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

If you had to choose one word to describe Elaine, it would be “Faithful”. She was a committed and steadfast Christian and clung onto her faith in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit until her final days. Although she suffered much both mentally and physically as she grew into her final years, she never blamed God and, in fact, held onto Him for her strength.

Elaine was the classic Homemaker for many years, but had a few odd jobs in her later years that included being a children’s caregiver and also part time work at Walmart and the Ramada Inn. Of course she was always involved, in some capacity, with her church. Wherever she lived, from Michigan to Alabama and back, she found a church to call home. She also loved music and played the violin as a young girl, and also sang in multiple choirs as she grew older. Besides her Savior, family was her top priority, helping all her “little chicks” in any way she could and just having wonderful family times together. She and her husband, David, went through many a trial in their 50-plus years together, but also enjoyed many blessings as well, which is a testament to their many years together!

She had moved to an assisted living facility for her last several years and was eager to attend any Bible studies that she could. Her grandson, Nathan, was her close companion for many years and she enjoyed his guitar playing and singing so very much! The family is very grateful to the many caretakers she had during those years and they were a blessing to her and the family as well. Her body finally and peacefully succumbed to her frailty and older age, in her apartment, after having special moments with all her children and grandchildren. What a blessing for all!

Butterflies were Elaine’s favorite of God’s creatures, both for their beauty and the Christian symbolism behind them. Whenever you have a chance to spot one, perhaps you can think of Elaine and smile.

Memorial Service will be held Monday, October 13, 2025 at 11:00am at Roseland Park Cemetery - Resurrection Chapel, 29001 Woodward Avenue, Berkley.

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Fly High, Butterfly

You started out, so small and meek

And crawled the day away

Ever older, month from week

Second, minute, day

Exploring, grounded to the land

Searching was your quest

A life with purpose was at hand

Discovering what was best

Your life was filled with purpose, now

So long, but yet a blink

Much a mystery as to how

But creation makes you think

From beginnings, meek and lowly

To wanderings as you grew

Now most beautiful and holy

You were made anew

Encased inside a fleeting shell

A most temporary place

A treasure story is the tell

Now released from fragile case

Transformation, now finally had

The weaving is the Way

No need to be profoundly sad

Rejoice, instead, today!

For now you’re flying, joyful, free

From the lowest to the high

Heaven Home, you now will see

Where no more tears you’ll cry

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7