Madelaine Burns

Madelaine White Burns, 89, of Evansville, passed away January 20, 2012, at Golden Living Center-Woodlands in Newburgh. She was born on August 16, 1922, in Norwood, New York, to Raymond and Ruth White. She graduated from Norwood High School in 1940 and the University of Cincinnati in 1944, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. She worked as a therapeutic dietitian at St. Luke’s Hospital and United Hospital in New York City while her fiancé, John Richard Burns, served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Upon his return, they were married in 1946 at the Little Church Around the Corner in New York City. Madelaine earned her Master’s Degree in 1961 from Syracuse University and taught home economics at Norwood Norfolk Central School until 1968 when her family moved to Evansville. She was an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at the University of Evansville until her retirement in 1982. Always committed to community service, Madelaine volunteered with the American Red Cross, the Southwestern Dietetics Association, Meals on Wheels, Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, Angel Mounds, Willard Library, and the Vanderburgh County Home Extension Service. She was a lifelong Episcopalian, and her love of the Lord led her to be an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal church of Evansville, serving as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Altar Guild, and a member of St. Mary’s Guild. On many Saturday mornings she could be found at the soup kitchen at St. Paul’s and the clothing bank, which she organized. Madelaine was a devoted wife and mother whose kind nature and sense of humor will always be remembered by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, John, and two daughters, Mary Catherine Burns and Nancy Jean Paxton. She is survived by her three sons; John R. Burns, Jr. (Carol) of Eugene, OR, Stephen Burns (Linda), of Indianapolis, IN, and Thomas Burns (Patricia of Detroit, MI; daughter, Patricia Herrin (Dan) of Newburgh, IN; three grandsons, Vaughn Paxton (Andrea) of Indianapolis, Jarrod Burns (BreAnn) of Indianapolis, and Ryan Pelky of Evansville; four granddaughters, Heather Redman (Ric) of Seattle, WA, Emily Paxton of Boston, MA, Marissa Mitchell (Mike) of Newburgh, and Ashleigh Kilgard (Chris) of Indianapolis; as well as seven great-grandchildren, Jing Redman, Dillon, Reese, and Chloe Burns, Lauren and Nathan Paxton, and Lily Mitchell. Madelaine’s family would especially like to thank the staff at Atria Newburgh, Woodlands Golden Living Center Newburgh, and Aseracare Hospice for their loving care and support. Visitation will be held at Alexander Newburgh Chapel on Saturday, January 28, 2 – 4 PM. A celebration of Madelaine’s life along with her interment alongside her husband and two daughters will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Norwood, NY in late June. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Philips Episcopal Church in Norwood, NY and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Evansville.