Mary was born in San Francisco, CA to the late George J. Walsh & Maria F. (Capppola). She married Donald W. Burr on 3/4/63 who predeceased her on 1/7/09. She also was also predeceased by her brother Phillip Ruocco and her devoted poodle Muffin.
She is survived by one daughter, Nancy Lynn Burr of Norwich, her sister-in-law Norma G. Burr of Higganum, CT as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her cat Cleo.
Mary grew up in Brockton, MA the hometown of her mother’s large Italian family. She enjoyed telling many memories of her grandparents and aunts. She graduated from Brockton HS in 1956. Mary attended secretarial school and moved to CT where she worked at a number of businesses as a bookkeeper before opening her private bookkeeping service taking on a number of clients including Don’s Esso station. It was here she met Donald as he hired her to do his books. The Burrs’ moved to Old Lyme and together they launched a Hallmark store business with locations in Waterford, CT, Chicopee MA, North Kingstown RI and their last location Norwich CT which led to moving to the Norwichtown area.
Mary took pride in doing the books for Burr’s, Inc. as well as working in the Hallmark store and candy store Nancy’s Carousel. Mary was also a devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star having dual membership in Fidelity #54 and Sachem #57. She was a two times Worthy Matron of Sachem Chapter and past Grand Representative to Texas. She also enjoyed serving as Mother Advisor and being a board member of Norwich Assembly #30, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and was a recipient of the Grand Cross of Color.
In 1996 after selling Burr’s Mary retired and continued to enjoy attending Eastern Star and Yantic Woment’s Auxiliary meetings. She and Donald enjoyed their Orlando, FL home as snowbirds. Mary often talked about her fun times of owning a cottage on Amston Lake. She enjoyed visiting Disney, reading, gardening and spending time with Donald and Nancy. Mary in her later years required 24-hour care and had wonderful CNA’s which allowed her to stay at home where she peacefully passed.
Burial services will be private, in lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
I will miss you Mom, you have been reunited with Dad and I will see you again. Love. Nancy Lynn.
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