Obituary of Agnes Vivian Burns
Agnes Vivian Burns passed away Saturday October 22, 2016 at Mountainside Residential Care Center in Margaretville, NY. She was 98.
Born January 21, 1918 in Bovina, NY. Agnes was the daughter of John Sinclair Burns and Elizabeth Carnright Burns. She was raised on the family farm on Crescent Valley Road in Bovina. She married Robert Elliott Burns Sr. in 1934 and together they became farmers, raising pure-bred Holstein dairy cattle. They welcomed three children: Norma Jean Burns Phillips, Robert E. Burns Jr. and John (Jack) W. Burns.
Agnes attended Bovina District 1 one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and then attended Delaware Academy in Delhi. She later continued her education at Albany School for Practical Nurses, graduating in 1958 and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at the Margaretville Hospital and the Delaware County Home and Infirmary.
Agnes was called "GaGa" by her first grandson and eventually the entire family affectionately called her "GaGa". Agnes was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Excluding the past three years when she was a resident of Mountainside Residential Care Center, she resided her entire life in Bovina except for one year in Albany for nursing training and nine months living in Tehran, Iran with her daughter and family. The time in Iran was followed by a trip home through the Holy Land, Egypt and the Mediterranean.
Agnes was a creative woman with many artistic talents. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, refurbishing antiques, drawing and painting. She operated her own business, The Old Hen House Antique Shop. She also enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles.
Agnes is survived by her daughter Norma Jean (Fred) Phillips of Saratoga Springs, son Jack Burns of Bovina Center, daughter-in-law Marie Burns of Bovina Center, six grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband Robert E. Burns Sr., son Robert E. Burns Jr., sister Mary B. Lounsbury, grandson Mark Phillips and beloved daughter-in-law June R. Burns.
Funeral Services will take place at 11AM on Saturday November 12, 2016 at the United Presbyterian Church, Bovina Center with Reverend Garrett Vitterio Schindler officiating.
For those who may wish to make a donation in Agnes' memory, the family suggests donations to the United Presbyterian Church, Bovina Center of which Agnes had been a life time member or to the Heart of the Catskills Human Society, Delhi to honor Agnes' love of animals.
