Lois Peckham Burden passed away on March 16, 2016 a few weeks after a fall at her home in Taunton. She recently celebrated her 98th birthday.
She is survived by her four children, Marsha (David) Kelley, Linda (Gerald) Monchik, Brenda (Daniel) Paull and Debra Lezama. She has 14 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. She was the widow of Dr. C. Nason Burden to whom she was married for 72 years and supported throughout his busy orthopedic practice. She also is survived by her brother, Malcolm Peckham and sister, Jean Peckham Smith.
Mrs. Burden was brought up in Westville and spent her married life at 3 Prospect Street, Taunton. A graduate of Taunton High School and Smith College, she proudly displayed her diploma above her kitchen stove. Lois lived a life devoted to her husband, children, and community. She took an active and leadership role in many organizations, including serving on the board of the Morton Hospital Auxiliary and chairing its annual Heart Ball. She also volunteered many hours to the Summer Street School PTA. She and her husband were founding members of Edgewood Club in Raynham.
Lois belonged to the Taunton Garden and Women’s Clubs, and had a Bridge Club whose members shared dear lifetime friendships. At the First Parish Church, she served on the Prudential Committee, president of the Couples’ Club and Women’s Alliance and for many years, co-chaired its annual Antique Show. For many years, she also taught Sunday School there. She was an accomplished club tennis player, (starting when she was in her forties and playing into her eighties!) and organized matches at the Sippican Tennis Club, Marion. In Crescent Beach, Mattapoisett, she organized Whist Parties and Coffee Hours, insuring that community connections stayed vibrant. She loved sitting on the front porch of her summer cottage with iced tea and a “goodie” sharing the summers’ magic with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In addition, the family is most appreciative of the many health care workers who cared for her in her home and most recently, at Adams’ House in Fall River.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation which will be held in the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, 350 Somerset Ave., (Route 138 South), Taunton, on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, from 4-6PM.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063 or to the Crescent Beach Improvement Association (CBIA), Box 552, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.