Rita M. (Potter) Burrows

MARTINSBURG – Rita M. Burrows, 86, of Main St., passed away late Saturday evening, April 30, 2016 at SUNY Upstate University Hospital, Syracuse.

A funeral mass will be said at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 6, 2016 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lowville, with Rev. Christopher Carrara, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in Martinsburg Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow the burial at a location and time to be announced.  Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.  Contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.    

She is survived by three daughters, Jane Marie and Nicholas F. Bush of Martinsburg; Judith Ann Burrows of Lowville; Jennifer Elaine and Thomas H. Jackson of Casper, Wyoming; ten grandchildren, Nick, Randy, Robert, Bradley, Timothy, Leette, Tonya, Elizabeth, Kaylee, Kristen; and 10 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Zach, Hunter, Wyatt, John, Reginald, James, Cooper, Lexy, Lucas, and three on the way; one great-great grandson, Avery; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She is predeceased by her husband, Elmer Charles Burrows, who died in December 18, 1975; by a son, Reginald Elmer Burrows, who died in October 18, 1980; by a brother, Joel L. Potter; and five sisters, Veronica Potter, Patricia Ann Dosztan, Virginia Marie Reape, Phyllis Ruth Kovach, and Beverly Jane Bush.

Rita May was born on May 16, 1929 in New Bremen, NY, a daughter of the late Laurence S. and Florence M. Ridlespraker Potter.  She graduated from Lowville Academy in 1946.  On October 19, 1946, she married Elmer Charles Burrows at her sister’s home, Phyllis and Stephen Kovach, in Lyons Falls.  Mrs. Burrows worked for Upstate Telephone Company in Lowville as an operator for ten years.  She worked as a monitor at Lowville Academy from 1963 until 1973, before going to work for Lewis County General Hospital as a ward clerk, retiring September 1, 1991, after 18 years of service.

Mrs. Burrows was a communicant of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lowville.  She was a Life Member of the Lewis County Memorial Post #6912 Auxiliary, a past member of the Martinsburg Home Bureau, and a charter member of the Martinsburg Fire Department Auxiliary.  Rita also enjoyed her time on the Office for the Aging meal site menu planning committee during her retirement.

She enjoyed sewing, knitting, scratch baking, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be shared online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com .

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