Obituary of Reta A. Sanford Burns

STAR LAKE – Reta A. Sanford Burns, age 73, of Star Lake, NY (formerly of Lyons, NY) got her wings on July 6, 2018 at the Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown. There will be a Memorial Service for Reta on Saturday, August 18, 2018 held at The Haven, 60 Campus Drive, Star Lake NY 13690 beginning at 2:00 p.m. followed by refreshments. Arrangements are with French Family Funeral Home in Star Lake. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Reta was born on June 30, 1945 in Endicott, NY to the late Lawrence and Rachel Louise (Muckey) Sanford. She was in the first graduating class of the Maine-Endwell High School in June of 1963 and earned her Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees in early childhood and elementary education from the State University College of Oswego. Reta met John under a rainbow at Oswego, they were married on June 22, 1968 and celebrated 50 years of marriage this year. Now, Reta is waiting for John on the other side of the rainbow. Reta taught kindergarten for one year in Baldwinsville, first grade in the Williamson Elementary School and kindergarten for 31 years at the Sodus Central School before retiring in 2000. Reta put her career on hold for 10 years giving her three children a solid start in life. Reta lived her life selflessly as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, family member, educator, friend and volunteer. She loved family gatherings, spending time with her grandchildren, reading and sitting on the porch with John looking at the lake. She valued relationships built while volunteering for bingo with the residents of the Long Term Care Facility at the Clifton-Fine Hospital. Her survivors include her husband of 50 years, John Burns; three children, Jonathan Burns, Sara Burns (William Patrick), and Jeremy Burns (Camille); three grandchildren, Joseph, Stone and Bo; sister Ila VanFleet (Don). Reta was predeceased by her parents, brother Leeland Sanford and sister Waneta Griffin. You may honor the memory of Reta by reflecting on how she touched your life, by volunteering in your community or by making donations to to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami FL 33131, the American Cancer Society, PO Box 7, East Syracuse NY 13057, and the Clifton-Fine Wilderness Healthcare Foundation, 1014 Oswegatchie Trail, Star Lake NY 13690. Thank God for Reta!