Elinor Parnell Burns, 96, of State College, Pa, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2024 at Juniper Village at Brookline with her son by her bedside.
She was born June 26, 1928 in Tamaqua, Pa to Willis and Ida Parnell. She attended St. Jerome’s Catholic School from 1st through 12th grade. Upon graduation in 1946, she went on to attend Penn State, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Elementary Education.
On June 16, 1951 she married Leo J Burns in Tamaqua. They moved to St. Louis, Mo where she taught in the public school system. After giving birth to a son, Kevin, they moved back to Pa where she taught in both the Easton and Hazleton School districts. In 1967, she moved to State College, teaching in the State College School district, including 24 years at Easterly Parkway. After 41 years of teaching, she retired in 1993.
In addition to teaching, her passions in life were her home, which she called the Ivy Cottage, gardening, and travel. She visited the British Isles and Europe multiple times. She was a member of Our Lady of Victory in State College for 57 years and volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
She is survived by her son, Kevin (Carla) of State College, grandson, Simon (Andrea) of Centre Hall, sister Kathleen Sherwood of Thorndale, Pa and three nephews. Her parents, her husband, Lee, and her sister, Mary Jean Rimbach, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Koch Funeral Home.
A burial mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 16, 2024 at Our Lady of Victory. Burial will be in St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery in Tamaqua, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 1300 Benner Pike Suite B, State College, PA 16801.