Kennebunk

Deborah ‘Debbie’ Parsons Burns, 78 years, of Kennebunk died February 20, 2017 at home in the loving care of her husband and four children.

Debbie was born May 14, 1938 in New York, NY, a daughter of Robert and Audrey (Armstrong) Parsons. She graduated from King Low Heywood Thomas School in Stamford, CT and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Wellesley College. On August 13, 1960, she married Matthew James Burns.

Debbie enjoyed any time spent with her family, walking the beach in front of her home, playing bridge, tennis, and singing with the group, Senior Moments. She loved to travel and took many trips abroad with friends and family. Debbie touched many lives through her work and volunteer activities and had a unique gift for making people feel both important and special while at the same time leaving no doubt about where she stood.

Debbie worked for many years as the bookkeeper for the Cape Arundel Inn. She was also very active in the Kennebunk Area donating her time at St. David’s Episcopal Church, the Kennebunk Library, The Brick Store Museum, and delivering meals and driving residents at Huntington Common. She was a member of the Arundel Yacht Club, The Kennebunk River Club and The Edgcomb Tennis Club. She cared passionately about the custodial care of Parsons Beach and remained active in its Association.

Debbie is lovingly remembered by her husband, Matthew; her son Robert Parsons Burns and Audrey Zahares of Kennebunk; her daughters, Kathryn Anne Burns and Michael Greeley of Boston, Laura Elizabeth Burns and Thomas Tiller of West Boothbay Harbor and Julia Burns Riley and Daniel Riley of Kennebunk; her sisters, Sarah Parsons Currie of Stamford, CT and Anne Parsons Ferguson of Langhorne, PA; her grandchildren, John Robert Burns, Robert Parsons Burns, Jr, Mikayla Parsons Greeley and Jackson Grant Greeley; and her extended family including, David Michael Orne, Richard Philip Orne, Abigail Riley, Katie Riley and Jack Riley, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends may visit from 5-8 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME. A funeral will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, February 24, 2017 at St. David’s Episcopal Church with Reverend Andrew D’Angio White and guest preacher Reverend Fred Reynolds. Interment will be held later in the spring at Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to:

St. David’s Episcopal Church
138 York Street
Kennebunk, ME 04043

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Debbie’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel.