March 31, 1948 – October 3, 2018
Fairport: Barb found eternal peace on Thursday, October 3rd, 2018. Barb was born in Rochester and spent most of her life in the area. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard (Barney) and Viola (Dot) Burmeister. She is survived by her brother, Doug (Judy) Burmeister; niece Karen (Rob) Spaiches; nephew Mark (Amy)Burmeister; great nephews Kyle and Jacob Spaiches; Joshua and Joseph Burmeister. Alsospecial friends Julie and Mark Rinebold, godsons Erik and Connor Rinebold, Neil (Danielle) Carman and daughters, Jill (Adam) Ryczek and sons, lifelong friend Sr. Joan McAteer, RSM.
Barb graduated from Our Lady of Mercy High School in 1966. She joined the Rochester Sisters of Mercy that same year taking the name Sister Karen Marie. She taught Biology and Health. She attended Mount St. Joseph’s in Cincinnati where she attained a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. In 1979, Barb left the order to work at Highland Hospital from which she retired in 2010 after 31 years. Barb spent a summer volunteering her time and efforts to the Native American tribes in Arizona. She also enjoyed traveling, having visited 5 continents and the many islands of the Caribbean. During her retirement, she was able to enjoy her “peaceful place”, her cottage on Lake Ontario in Three Mile Bay, N.Y.
At the center of her life were her family, friends, “Rebel”, her German Shepherd who recently passed away and the New York Mets. She will be remembered always for her kindness, faith, compassion and unconditional love. She was a lifelong member of the Church of the Assumption in Fairport, 20 East Ave., where a Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 at 11:15 AM. Inurnment to follow at church.
Barb has requested that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in her name to the Rochester Sisters of Mercy or Lollipop farm.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, Fairport.