Clara DalBarco Burns passed away peacefully Feb. 28, 2019, at the Lee HealthCare facility.
Born Oct. 17, 1924, in Lee, she was the daughter of Eliseo and Fabrizzia (Pellizzari) DalBarco. Clara graduated from Lee High School with the class of 1942. After graduation she worked in Pittsfield for the Karam Insurance Agency until she was married Dec. 13, 1958. She and her husband, JJ, embarked on an Army life; had two children; and lived in Germany, California and Georgia before settling back in Lee. Clara then worked for Western Wire, Bombardier East and eventually retired from the Lee National Bank.
As the middle of five daughters, her life was always surrounded by a large extended family and nothing made her happier. She cherished the times she spent with her sisters and their families. The true joy of her life came with the birth of her grandchildren. After she retired, she loved getting up early and helping to get the kids off to school. Every Thursday was “roni night,” and it was never clear who enjoyed it more, she or her grandchildren.
Mostly Clara led a simple life. She filled it with her family, friends, love of gardening, reading and keeping track of politics. Though life was not always easy, she had a devout faith and was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Lee her entire life. She was loved by all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter, Colleen and husband Chris Brown of Manchester; sisters Norma DalBarco Buratto of Lee and Rena Dalbarco Masiero of Lenox; grandchildren Jane Louise and husband Theo Pulfer-Terino, John Joseph Burns, Liam Robert Burns and Abby Rose Burns, all of Lee, andNicholas George Brown of Manchester; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, John Joseph (JJ) Burns, she was predeceased by her son, Sean Patrick Burns; sisters Fanny DalBarco Valenti and Enes DalBarco Flynn; her brothers-in-law Joseph Valenti, James Flynn, Guido Masiero and Guerrino Buratto;and beloved niece and nephew Ann Bernadette and Michael Jay Buratto.
Funeral services for Clara Burns will be celebrated Thursday, March 7, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church with a Liturgy of Christian Burial. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. A visiting hour from 9 to 10 a.m. will be held at St. Mary’s Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s School in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238. To leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the family, visit www.kellyfuneralhome.net.
