Mary M. Burton, 92, died peacefully at home on July 25. She was born and raised in Vineland, the daughter of Jane and Jack Raffaelli. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Class of 1941, and married the love of her life, the late Edgar Burton, on April 15, 1943.
Mrs. Burton served as the office secretary at Sacred Heart Grammar School in the late 1950s. After the founding of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Vineland in 1961, she was hired as secretary for the new parish and school. She will be most fondly remembered in the front office of the rectory fielding calls, writing Mass cards and keeping all things running with warmth, but with a determination that managed to get the job done no matter what the challenge.
Retirement in 1986 was a little too quiet for Mrs. Burton, so she began working as bookkeeper and secretary for Vineland Anesthesia Associates for several years more.
Mrs. Burton was predeceased by her husband, Edgar in 2010. She is survived by Msgr. John H. Burton, pastor of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Vineland, and Sister Kathleen Burton, S.S.J., Co-Director of Faith and Family Life Formation for the Diocese of Camden. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, her friends Rose D’Ottavio and Andy Zukovsky, and her newest collie, Bailey (aka Sheppy).
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Christ the Good Shepherd Parish on July 30 at Sacred Heart Church, where she was married. Burial was in the family plot at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, 1655 Magnolia Rd., Vineland, NJ 08361 or to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, C/O St. Joan of Arc Convent, 9 Evans Rd. Marlton, NJ 08053
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
