Sylvia Burney

Sylvia Burney

Dec 27, 2025

Auburn - Sylvia Vasey Burney died on December 27, 2025, at 100 years of age. Born in London, England, Sylvia married Claude Vasey of Jacksonville, IL during World War II. She came to America on the ship the Queen Elizabeth II, which was a ship that carried war brides. Claude died in 1956 and Sylvia later married Thomas Burney. She continued to run the family farm in Jacksonville and worked at an insurance agency and went to Illinois College from which she graduated. She taught French and German in Upper Arlington, Ohio. In Angola, Indiana she worked at a sheltered workshop and for the Chamber of Commerce. She was active at her church and helped to set up the Free Children's Clinic at Holy Family Episcopal Church. Sylvia joined the Peace Corps at the age of 65 and spent several years in Costa Rica. After coming home for a year, Sylvia and Tom went to Honduras to teach at a school. She is survived by her children Graham Vasey (Ann), Marilyn Gennett (Paul), Andrew Burney, and Christopher Burney, seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. A memorial service will be planned in the spring at Holy Family Episcopal Church, Angola, Indiana.