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BORN
1928
DIED
2024
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Elinor Burns Obituary
June 26, 1928 - September 11, 2024
State College, Pennsylvania - Elinor Parnell Burns, 96, of State College, Pa. passed away peacefully on September 11, 2024 at Juniper Village at Brookline with her son by her bedside.
She was born June 26, 1928 in Tamaqua, Pa. to Willis and Ida Parnell. She attended St. Jerome's Catholic School from 1st through 12th grade. Upon graduation in 1946, she went on to attend Penn State, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Elementary Education.
On June 16, 1951 she married Leo J Burns in Tamaqua. They moved to St. Louis, Mo. where she taught in the public school system. After giving birth to a son, Kevin, they moved back to Pa. where she taught in both the Easton and Hazleton School districts. In 1967, she moved to State College, teaching in the State College School district, including 24 years at Easterly Parkway. After 41 years of teaching, she retired in 1993.
In addition to teaching, her passions in life were her home, which she called the Ivy Cottage, gardening, and travel. She visited the British Isles and Europe multiple times. She was a member of Our Lady of Victory in State College for 57 years and volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
She is survived by her son, Kevin (Carla) of State College, grandson, Simon (Andrea) of Centre Hall, sister Kathleen Sherwood of Thorndale, Pa. and three nephews. Her parents, her husband, Lee, and her sister, Mary Jean Rimbach, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Koch Funeral Home.
A burial mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 16, 2024 at Our Lady of Victory. Burial will be in St. Jerome's Catholic Cemetery in Tamaqua, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 1300 Benner Pike Suite B, State College, PA 16801.
Online condolences may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elinor Burns
3 Entries
Glenda Zook
September 15, 2024
As the school secretary at EP from 1983-2013 I had the pleasure of working with Elinor. She was a special lady that I will always remember for her love of family and coworkers. Kevin, she spoke of you often and was so proud of your military service. Always encouraging Simon to pursue his dream of being a chef. You will have loving memories of a great lady. You are all in my prayers.
Nancy shipman
September 14, 2024
Hello Dear family, My sympathy to you all. Your mom and my mom, who was same age as Elinor but died in 2000, were best buds as my mom was secretary at Easterly Parkway. She talked about her dear friend Elinor all the time. They were very close and just wanted to let you know she is fondly remembered by my brother and I as her name was mentioned so often in our home. Happy memories always, Nancy and Karl Shipman
Elaine WatschkeI
September 14, 2024
Elinor blessed me with her friendship. I learned new ways to teach from her at Easterly. We both had one son and often shared what our sons were doing. She loved her students and was one of the best teachers. If you were her student you were going to have a fun, interesting and beneficial learning expereience. She loved teaching her students about the weather. Elinor ecouraged their writing by having them observe and write about the weather daily. I kept connected to this wonderful lady even after moving to CA. My deepest sympathy to her family. Elaine Watschke Mission Viejo, CA
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Koch Funeral Home - State College2401 S. Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801
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