To Mary Burnham, life was about others. She was an extraordinary woman who struggled with various health challenges throughout her lifetime although it was hard to detect since she never complained

and always carried herself with such elegant grace. Mary was a very spiritual woman whose faith was a living and vibrant part of her life, yet at the same time it was something that was very personal to her as well. Mary was such a compassionate woman who “mothered” so many others in addition to her own boys, her warm and tender heart always looking for ways to serve others.

As WWII raged on overseas, much of America’s life was greatly affected in numerous ways during the year 1942. Steel, tin, and rubber were in high demand in order to support the war effort and so automobile production had ceased. People clung to their radios in order to remain abreast of the latest happenings both at home and abroad, and women were being recruited into the workforce to resume the jobs their men had left behind. It was also during this year that Walter and Mary (Miller) Heltsley were celebrating some good news with the birth of their daughter, Mary, on March 14th. From the time she was born Mary was plagued with various health challenges that she was forced to cope with throughout her entire life. She was raised as one of six children in her family and lived the life of a typical farming family in Ohio.

Life turned in a new direction for Mary when she was

introduced to her best friend’s brother. His name was Frank Burnham and they married just after high school. Mary’s first job was with National Cash Register located in Dayton, Ohio which produced the first electric cash register in 1906. She soon added another job title to her résumé - that of “mother” when they adopted their two

sons, Chris in 1966 and David in 1969. Both boys joined their family when they were babies and Mary set her work aside during their younger years in order to tend to their needs. She fully embraced her role as a mother, and they raised their

family in Lawton, Michigan.

Once her boys were in school Mary began working in the nursery at West Hills - a great fit for her since she so dearly loved children. Through

her time there she made some connections with wealthy families and started cleaning homes. One of the homes she cleaned was Jim

Gilmore’s which led to her career with Gilmore Enterprises. While there, Mary often satiated her nurturing side as she frequently made lunch for everyone. Her greatest desire was always to care for others. Her husband was often sick so she served as his caregiver for years as well.

Although Mary was a working woman, she was also actively involved in the lives of her boys. She was a den mother who

often hosted several other kids in her home as well. The Burnham home was where the kids flocked to play, it

was the “fun house” where they were spoiled with treats and Kool-Aid. Although life with Frank was challenging at times, Mary tried her best to maintain a “normal” life for her boys, a feat she successfully accomplished. She shared such a close relationship with her boys amidst difficulties in her own life since she was never one to focus on herself. In 1986 she divorced Frank although they remained friends.

There were several ways in which Mary was unique - ways that made her so easy to love. She was

a great cook, often preparing family style meals that were sometimes southern style meals, but she was always

famous for her comfort foods. Mary loved giving gifts that were seasonally themed, quite often they were socks. She had an extensive

collection of snowmen that represented winter, not Christmas. When her family grew to include her grandson Max, nothing could have thrilled her more and it was easy to see that young Max was the love of her life. Something that was such a big part of Mary’s life was her spirituality. She was a Christian woman due in a large part to her mother who often wrote spiritual poems and prayers that were published weekly in her hometown newspaper. Mary was the matriarch of her family who kept the whole family together as the storms of life blew in. She would read her Bible and get her Daily Word, but her religion was always such a personal journey for her.

Over the past three years Mary battled several illnesses but was able to bounce back from most of them. Sadly, eventually a lifetime of health struggles took their toll and Mary’s body grew too tired to fight any longer.

With so much love to give, Mary Burnham brought such warmth and love to so many within her reach. She was a compassionate woman who lived to love others, always setting aside her own needs in the process. Mary’s life was laced with struggles of her own, but her faith

and her inner strength overruled the feelings of strife that could have so easily been a part of her life as well. It was common knowledge that the sun rose and set with her precious grandson Max with whom she shared such a special bond. Although her family says goodbye for now, they find comfort in knowing that Mary is now in perfect health enjoying the rewards of a life well lived.

Mary F. Burnham died October 16, 2009 in Kalamazoo. Mary’s family includes her two sons: Chris Burnham and Dave (Marcy) Burnham; a grandson, Max Burnham; three siblings: Dovie Heltsley, Jim (Pat)

Heltsley and Mike Heltsley; sister-in-law, Allena Schmidt; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Joseph and Walter Heltsley. Visit with Mary’s family and friends and share in some refreshments on Sunday from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home - Kalamazoo, MI; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900 where services will be held Monday 11:00 a.m. Burial will take Tuesday in Ohio. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to Southern Care Hospice.