Mary Abigail Burr Stearns' Obituary
Mary Abigail Burr Stearns, 84, passed away peacefully Friday, June 27, 2014 at her home in Grand Haven, Michigan. Mary was born in Grand Haven on November 27, 1929 to Ruth Abigail (Bos) and Milton E. Burr. She was the granddaughter of Abigail Harbeck Bos. Mary was an extraordinary mother, wife, friend, teacher, musician, hostess, and patriot. As a teenager, she played the organ in St. John’s church, graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1947 and Kalamazoo College in 1951. Her life’s work was in teaching and music especially playing her piano – she taught at Redwood School, West Orange, NJ for over 35 years –was a master of the classroom musical production and was proud to have taught over 1,000 children. Of note was her insistence that her students write with a fountain pen! She spoke often of her great fondness of her fellow teachers and students. As a devoted Grand Havenite, she returned to Grand Haven for retirement in 1990 to many happy days golfing and dining at the Spring Lake Country Club, beaching on the shores of Lake Michigan, bridge games, and reconnecting with old friends and family. Up until recently, Mary lunched weekly with her kindergarten club at Applebee’s. She enjoyed snow birding with new friends in Stuart, Florida, brightened her daughters’ worlds with countless trips and experiences, and delighted in flying her U of M flag on football Saturdays. She had an infectious laugh and was the original optimist. She leaves behind her husband of 63 years, William, whom she fondly referred to as Bill Stearns; her daughters, Elizabeth Parry Stearns and her partner Clare Close of Las Vegas NV, Abigail Burr Stearns Montsinger and her husband Mark Montsinger of Germantown TN, wonderful grandson Matthew Parker Montsinger, many friends, neighbors, loving caregivers, and countless students from Redwood School whose lives she enriched and they hers.
Mary’s funeral service will be held Saturday July 19 at 10 AM at St John’s Episcopal Church, 524 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, Michigan 49417. Burial will follow at Lake Forest Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday July 18, 4-6 PM at VanZantwick, Bartels and Kammeraad Funeral Home, 620 Washington Avenue. Memorials may be made to the St. John’s Episcopal Church General Fund and she also loved flowers.
Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
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