Obituary of Frances Y. Burnett

Frances Roena Young Burnett of Schenectady, died May 1st after a long life filled with much joy and adventures. Born July 2, 1929 to Hubert & Nora Young, she graduated early from Washington Irving HS and attended Hunter College in NYC. She was one of just 52 young women chosen to be a debutante at the first ever Harlem Cotillion, which was featured in Life Magazine. Graduating from Hunter with a degree in Chemistry, she became the first black woman to work at Sloan Kettering Research lab. In 1951 she married Carl F. Burnett. Although she loved the New York City life, when the couple moved to Galway, she found she loved country life as well. Fran really just loved life. Gardening, whether it be flowers or vegetables, became a passion. After many years as a stay-at-home Mom, Fran returned to the workforce at Northeast Savings and then worked for the Schenectady Department of Social Services in Food Stamps, where "Mrs. B" was known by clients and co-workers alike for her kind, gracious manner. Her many hobbies included skiing, tennis, aerobic dancing, painting, acting, sewing and don't forget the parties. She loved to read, often commenting that as a child, her library card was her most prized possession. She loved to travel the world. She was a State Life member of the Glenville Hills Garden Club and a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Scotia. Fran is survived by her son Lawrence, her daughter, Beverly (Dave Strack), granddaughter Naima, as well as Fran's "selected family:" former daughter-in-law Maria Torres-Burnett; Kathy Gorman-Coombs (Tim Coombs), and grandsons Keith Kingcoombs (Jess) and Kyle Coombs, who all played a special role in her life. She will be missed by so many for her class and style, kindness, fascinating life stories, sense of humor and lovely smile. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 20 at 4 P.M. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 185 Swaggertown Road in Scotia, presided over by Father Mike Neufeld of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Due to COVID social distance restrictions, please RSVP if you plan to attend, to RSVP@scotiatrinity.org The service will be live-streamed on you tube: Trinity Presbyterian Church Scotia NY or use link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaGy902qSPz8Z9nlbObrL2A/ Monetary donations or memorial plants or bulbs can be sent to Glenville Hills Garden Club, www. glenvillehillsgardenclub.org PO Box 75, Galway, NY 12074