Marilyn J. Burden

Marilyn J. Burden of Water Mill died peacefully at home Jan. 7, 2017, after a brief illness.

Marilyn was born in 1928 to Mabel (née Burger) and Robert J. Kelly in Glendale, Queens, the second of three children. As a child, she spent summers at Rose’s Camp until her parents purchased the property in Water Mill that the family still owns.

She was predeceased by her brother, Robert A. Kelly, and is survived by her sister, Elaine Schueler (Charles) of Glendale and sister-in-law, Bette Kelly.

In 1953, she married Robert E. Burden, who predeceased her in 2002. They resided in Glendale and summered in Water Mill until they became full-time residents in 1971. She had five children who loved her beyond measure: Patricia Burden (Richard Verbeke) of Yale, Mich., Kathleen Krempler (Robert) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Jeanne Bunce (Michael) of Water Mill, Eileen Noonan (Thomas) of Water Mill and Robert Burden of Flanders. She was blessed with five grandchildren: Jonathan Eckels (Jennifer), Michael Bunce (Emily), Christopher Bunce, Allison Noonan and Sean Noonan; and two great-grandchildren: Daniel and Arthur Eckels. A large extended family of nephews, nieces and friends will miss her dearly.

Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her family, laughing and having fun. While in Glendale, as her daughters grew up, she served as a Girl Scout leader with them both in Queens and in Southampton. She enjoyed quilting, reading and watching the birds. Marilyn was a past president of the Water Mill Museum and was one of several ladies who constructed the very first Water Mill Quilt in 1976. This tradition of making a “raffle quilt” to raise money for the museum led to the creation of the annual quilt show she chaired. She was a past president of the Water Mill Community Club and ran its “Trash and Treasures” sale for several years. She was also a member of the East End Quilters Guild. Marilyn and her daughters owned and operated the Southampton Uniform Shops in Southampton and Riverhead.

Her children invite you to share in a celebration of her life, Friday, Jan. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at O’Connell’s Funeral Home in Southampton.

Memorial donations may be made to the Water Mill Museum.

This is a paid notice.