Rita M. Burlingame

October 21, 1929 - September 24, 2015

Rita M. Burlingame, 85, died on Thursday September 24, 2015 at Capstone Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Amsterdam, where she had been a patient since March 2012. She was born Oct. 21, 1929 in Northville, the daughter of Franklin and Geneva Warner Wood, and lived in the Northville area all her life. She attended Northville Central School and was a graduate of the area's first School of Practical Nursing in Gloversville. She served on the staff of Nathan Littauer Hospital for several years in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During the 1980s she worked for the Fulton County Substance Abuse program and the Family Counseling Center in Gloversville, where she developed a stress management program. Later, Mrs. Burlingame helped establish Mountain Valley Hospice, served as its public relations and education director, and helped train volunteers to work with terminally ill patients. She was a longtime member of the Northville Baptist Church, sang in its choir and taught Sunday school. After her retirement in the 1990s, she enjoyed painting, poetry and raising flowers in her garden. She was married for 61 years to Roy G. Burlingame, who died Nov. 14, 2007. Her eldest son Scott died March 22, 2011. Survivors include a son, Jonathan, of Los Angeles; a sister, Edith Schmid of Northville; two grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday September 30, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Northville. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice. Arrangements are by the Northville Funeral Home. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.