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Mary R. Burbage

Mary Burbage

MARQUETTE, MI – Mary R. Burbage, 104 of Marquette, Michigan, died Wednesday morning December 19, 2018, at UP Health Systems, Marquette, surrounded by her family.

Mary was born in Union City, Indiana, on October 24, 1914 to the late Glenn and Carrie (Linn) Hindsley. She graduated from Union City High School and worked as a secretary until her marriage to Joseph J. Burbage. They moved to Columbus, Ohio where Joseph was pursuing a doctorate in chemistry at The Ohio State University. There he was recruited by Monsanto Chemical Company to work on one aspect of the secret development of the atomic bomb during World War II. They moved to Dayton, Ohio where Joseph worked at Mound Laboratory. As her husband’s positions with Monsanto changed over the years they moved to Lynnfield, Massachusetts, and finally to Monsanto headquarters in Ladue, Missouri. Upon her husband’s retirement the couple moved to Clearwater, Florida. Following Joseph’s death in 1995 Mary moved to Marquette to be closer to her family. She moved into Tourville Apartments West where her daughter also lived and resided there until she moved to Brookridge Heights Assisted Living in 2012 at the age of 98. She also attended the First Presbyterian Church of Marquette, and Lunch Bunch when able.

Mary was devoted to her home and her family. She loved cooking and decorating their home and liked shopping, plays, and crewel work. She and her husband together were also sports fans, especially golf, the Cardinals, the Packers, the Patriots, and of course the OSU Buckeyes. She also enjoyed bingo at Brookridge. Mary was an avid reader and very interested in world news. In later years as her eyesight deteriorated, she at first watched only CNN and the sport broadcasts and finally when she could no longer see, she just listened to CNN.

Mary is survived by two children, Joseph J (Eileen) Burbage Jr. of Townsend, Massachusetts, and Mary (George) Carnahan of Marquette; six grandchildren, Joseph Burbage III, Sarah Burbage, Elizabeth (William) Brumm, George (Jana) Carnahan, Glenn (Julie) Carnahan, and John (Gail) Carnahan; nine great-grandchildren, Bryan DeOliviera, Amy (Thomas) Salisbury, Daniel (Rebecca) Brumm, Jessica Carnahan, Vince Zenanko, Glenn F. Carnahan, Sean (Alyssa) Carnahan, Scott Carnahan, and Ola Carnahan; five great-great grandchildren, Austin Salisbury, Mya Salisbury, Tyler Salisbury, Jackson Brumm, and MacGwire Brumm; four nieces, and many great and great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death besides her parents were her husband Joseph, a brother Philip Hindsley, a sister Martha Hall, a brother-in-law Dewey Hall, a sister-in-law Edna Hindsley, a great-grandson William R. Brumm, a nephew James Hindsley, and a great-nephew Robert Wills.

Mary’s family would like to thank her doctors Cary Bjork and Frederick Jaecklein for their excellent care and compassion over Mary’s long lifetime and the staff of Brookridge Heights for their loving assistance and kindness during her six years there. Especially to be thanked are long-time staff friends Sharon, Morgan, Clarissa, Lisa and her “like family” Mel Molash whose efforts allowed her to have a better life.

A Memorial celebration of Mary’s life will take place at a later time with burial to follow in Abbottsville Cemetery in Arcanum, Ohio.

Donations in Mary’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association or Brookridge Heights Assisted Living.

The Canale Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Burbage family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.