Carol Burcham Patrick

AUBURN | Carol Burcham Patrick, 90, of Auburn, died peacefully on Dec. 20, 2015 at St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse after a short illness. Born in Iola, Kansas, she grew up on a dairy farm where she explored her love of nature, birds, plants and animals. Carol relocated to Los Angeles and later was working for Alcoa defense plant during World War II when she met William while he was on leave from the Navy. She married the love of her life and moved to his hometown in Auburn, N.Y. after the war. William died at 43, leaving her a young widow. 

In addition to working as a homemaker and raising her family, Carol was employed at General Electric and Auburn Memorial Hospital for many years. She was an avid reader, created fine embroidery and continued the craft of handwritten letters to friends and family all her life. She generously shared her love of cooking, food and jokes with others. Her sense of humor sustained her through trials and tribulations of raising six children alone, and she could still enjoy and tell a good joke at 90.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and James Burcham, eight brothers and sisters, and several dear friends. She is survived by her sons: William Jr. (Debbie) of Moravia, John (Barbara) of Shelton, Washington, Thomas (Brenda) of Leesburg, Florida, son-in-law Bernie May, of Auburn; her daughters: MaryAnn Heroux (Mark) of Auburn, Marjorie Tubbert of Endicott, Michele May (Harry) of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania; 11 beloved grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

At Carol's request there will be no calling hours and final arrangements will be private. Please consider a contribution in Carol's memory. She supported various veterans' organizations, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN, 38101 and the SPCA, 41 York St., Auburn, NY, 13021.