Cecile Elizabeth "Chounie" Burleigh

CECILE ELIZABETH ''CHOUNIE'' BURLEIGH Cecile Chounie'' Burleigh, 96, died peacefully at home in Modesto on September 26th. She was born Cecile Elizabeth Forsse, and she was a native of Oakland, CA., where she graduated from Oakland High School and attended the University of California at Berkeley, class of 1936. She and her family were members of St. Leo's Church in Oakland, and they lived in Piedmont. She was a secretary for an attorney in Oakland and also did bookkeeping for her family's business, the East Oakland French Laundry. Chounie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Gordon B. Burleigh, a son, Gerald Allen Burleigh, two sisters, Eulalie Krahenbuhl and Marie Krauskoph and two brothers, Pierre Forsse and Jean Forsse. She is survived by a sister, Paulette Parsons of Arnold, a son, Malcolm B. Burleigh of St. Paul, Minnesota, daughter-in-law, Barbara Burleigh of St. Paul Minnesota, daughter, Margot te Velde of Modesto, son-in-law, George te Velde Jr., of Modesto, five grandchildren, Brian Burleigh, Paul Burleigh, Sandra Veneman, George A. te Velde, Stacey Johnston, 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Chounie and Gordon moved to Modesto in 1979 and enjoyed a retirement fullof gardening, traveling, walking and visiting family and friends in Modesto and the Bay Area. She was a marvelous cook. Chounie loved camping in the mountains, especially Yosemite, and for many years hiked most of the trailsin the park. She passed along her love of the out-of-doors and hiking to the rest of her family. In later years in Modesto she was helped out at home by two dedicated caregivers, Bernie Nunes and Alvie Nunes and by Alvie's daughter, Stacy Nunes. A Graveside Service will be held for Chounie on Tuesday, the 5th of October at 10:00 AM at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe, Hughson, CA. A guestbook is available at www.modbee.com/obituaries www.lakewoodhughson.com. Lakewood Funeral Home directors.