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Monday, April 13, 2020

Obituary: Barbara J. Burdick, 68, Little Genesee


Barbara J. Burdick, 68, of 8235 Rt. 417 passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at the UPMC  Hamot in Erie, PA. following a brief illness. Born on May 13, 1951 in Cuba, NY, she was the daughter of Lewis “Arnold” Pettit and Joan McKay Pettit.  Barb married R. Curt Burdick on September 27, 1969 in Bolivar; Mr. Burdick survives.  Barb was a graduate of Richburg Central School class of 1969, and received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education form St. Bonaventure University in 1992.  Barb was a self-employed beautician in Bolivar for the past fifty years.  She also was a title researcher for the area oil and gas industry.
Surviving in addition to her husband are four children, Ronald (Carol Ann) Burdick of Coudersport, PA.  Stephanie (Timothy) Pierce of Richburg, NY, Ryan (Lyndsey) Burdick of Cary, NC, Jeffrey Burdick of Bolivar, NY, and Rachael McDonald of Bolivar, NY.  Nine grandchildren CJ (KC Cone) Pierce, Dalton (Brandi Lyn Mealy) Burdick, Michael (Kierra Green) Pierce, Hannalee (Jeffrey Louser) Pierce, Caleb Burdick, Sadie Burdick, Londyn Burdick, Fynlee Burdick, & Zeplyn Burdick.  One great- granddaughter Harper Kinney.  Four Brothers, Ronald (Delisa) Pettit of Bastrop, Tx, Mike (Patsy) Pettit of Little Genesee, NY, Shawn (Rebecca) Pettit of Bolivar, NY, and Frank (April) Pettit of Little Genesee, NY.  Three Sisters, Kim (Pat) Torrey of Bolivar, NY, Linda (John) Innamorato of Bolivar, NY, and Pam (Don) Colerick of Little Genesee, NY.  Several nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased in death by her parents Lewis “Arnold” and Joan Pettit.  Her birth mother Harriet J. Hennan.  Two Sisters, Andrea Pettit, Judy (Pettit) Thomas.  One Brother Arthur Pettit.
Barb was a very strong, intelligent and determined woman.  She was the matriarch of her family or as her grandkids would call her “our rock!”  The Burdick house always had an open-door policy where you were greeted with a smile, a meal and unconditional love.  Barb’s greatest joy was spending time with her family.  Sunday’s were devoted to her family get-togethers as well as every holiday.
As important as Barb’s family was to her, her heart (the size of Texas) bled for others, especially the “underdog!” Her purposeful lifestyle chose to love and advocate for others who needed a strong voice. Along with her love for her Savior, her positivism also allowed her to “act out” her faith and compassion. 
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at a later date, to be announced.  Burial in Bowler Memorial Cemetery in Little Genesee, NY.
Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schaffner Funeral Home, Inc, Bolivar, NY.