FORT FAIRFIELD – Pearl B. Burns, wife of the late Walter J. Burns, passed away Friday morning, March 13, 2009, at a Caribou health care facility, after a brief illness. She was born Feb. 5, 1922, in Upper Kent, New Brunswick, the daughter of Oscar and Iva (Wortman) DeMerchant. Pearl moved to Fort Fairfield as a young child, where she attended local schools and was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1941. She was married to Walter J. Burns, Jan. 1, 1944, and was employed by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Co., Hartford, Conn., for 30 years. She again became a resident of Fort Fairfield in 1980, where she attended Bethel Baptist Church. She was a life member of VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187 Ladies Auxiliary, Fort Fairfield, and Presque Isle Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans Ladies Auxiliary. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Burns was predeceased by her husband, Walter, Jan. 31, 1993; one brother, Donald DeMerchant; and one sister, Geraldine J. Boulier. She is survived by two brothers, Winston DeMerchant and his wife, Blanche, of Harrisburg, N.C., and Derald DeMerchant and his wife, Sydna, of Terryville, Conn.; three sisters, Avis DeMerchant of Fort Fairfield, Beryl Hill and her husband, Ben, of Auburn, Ala., and Shirley Bodecker of Waterloo, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held starting 4:15 p.m. at VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. A graveside service of committal will be conducted later in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Pearl to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, One Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
PEARL B. BURNS
