Antoinette M. Burnham Obituary
Antoinette "Etta" M. (Rubino) Burnham, 94, wife of the late Joseph Burnham (JB), of Gloucester passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 10th at the Hathorne Hill Healthcare Center.
Born in Gloucester on October 10, 1930, daughter of the late Carlo and Antonina (Parisi) Rubino. Etta, one of eight children, grew up on Beach Court along with her Parisi aunt, uncle and eight cousins. She was deeply proud of her Sicilian fishing family heritage. She attended Gloucester schools and as a young lady had worked as a secretary at North Shore Furniture and Seafood Kitchens, and later in the Gloucester School System cafeterias. At Seafood Kitchens, she met the love of her life in JB and enjoyed a 53-year loving marriage together.
Etta was well known for her kind, loving and friendly nature. She was outgoing and made friends wherever she went. Proud of her cooking and baking skills, she would always visit friends with cookies, pasta and meatballs, or her famous eggplant parmesan. She often would conduct cooking and baking classes in her kitchen to share her recipes.
A devoted Catholic she regularly attended mass and said her prays daily. She celebrated all the religious holidays of Christmas, Easter, St. Joseph, St Peter's, and St Blaze with a special meal. Her home would be filled with family and friends being fed. She was a caring sole, providing meticulous care and guidance to her father, mother, siblings and of course JB.
In her later years, Etta enjoyed gardening and playing Bingo at St. Ann's Hall and the Senior Centers. She was always eager to make her monthly day trips to Foxwood and sometimes Encore with a bus full of her friends.
She will be greatly missed by the many who loved her.
She is survived by her devoted son, Anthony L. Burnham; her sister-in-law, Mary Rubino; brother-in-law, Leo Sabato: goddaughter, Lee Swekla and a multitude of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to her beloved husband Joseph, she was predeceased by her siblings Joseph, Philip and William Rubino, Rose Puma, Lucy Rubino, Frances "Dolly" McNeil, and Rosalie Sabato.
The family would like to thank Senior Care, Guardian Angels, Care Dimensions, and staff at Seacoast and Hathorne Hill over the past year and a half for their superior care and support.
Her visiting hours will be held on Thursday, May 15th from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church on Friday at 12 noon. The burial be held in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please prepare a meal or bake for a family member or friend and visit as Etta would.
