HORNELL-Marjorie J. “Marge” Burger, 91, of 57 Washington Street, Hornell, NY, passed away on March 25, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Marge was born in Lark Harbour, Newfoundland on January 6, 1931 to Clarence and Mary (Moss) Starkes. Her father passed away when she was just six months old. After that she was raised by her grandparents George and Dorcas (House) Moss in Daniel’s Harbour, Newfoundland. At the age of 16, she emigrated by herself to Brooklyn, NY to live with her aunt, Marjorie Moss. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen on November 11, 1954.
While visiting family in Andover in early 1955, Marge’s cousins convinced her to go on a blind date with one of their friends. The date started with bowling in Wellsville, then dancing at Lake Demons and ended the next morning with breakfast in Buffalo because they were having so much fun and didn’t want the night to end. That was the night she met Robert “Bob” Burger, who she married on November 26, 1955.
During her eight years in Brooklyn she worked as a nanny, at an insurance office and then at the jewelry counter at Abraham & Straus. After marrying Bob and moving to Hornell she worked as a cook at both Billy Schu’s Food Bar and Hornell Gardens Nursing Facility followed by the cosmetic counter at Tuttle & Rockwell Co. as the “Estee Lauder Lady.” In later years she worked alongside her husband, who owned and operated Rural TV Cable serving residents of Greenwood and Canaseraga.
For over 60 years, Marge was a very active member of Christ Episcopal Church, including serving as Head of the Altar Guild. She enjoyed spending time gardening and bringing plants back to life, lunches with the “Trust Group,” spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren, sneaking handfuls of treats to her “furry” grandchildren, knitting beautiful afghans, swim classes at the YMCA and babysitting local children.
She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Bob, who passed away on November 23, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her grandson, Tommy Vondracek, Jr.; and her siblings, Evelyn Talefich, Clarence Starkes, Arthur Stares and Mary Jeffries.
Surviving are two sons, John (Pamela) Burger of Mohnton, PA and William (Mary) Burger of Livonia, NY; one daughter, Sheila (Thom) Vondracek of Hornell, NY; six grandchildren George, Erin, Robert (Jennifer), Matthew (Whitney), Daniel (Stephanie) and Aaron (Jacqueline); 13 great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Lily, Logan, Oliver, Blake, Claire, Breana, Brooklynn, Cora, Quinn, Elouise, Arthur and Ellie. She is also survived by one brother-in-law, Jim Appier; one sister-in-law, Kathy Burger; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family of Marge will receive friends on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church Street, Hornell, NY. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Christ Episcopal Church of Hornell with Fr. Thomas Gramley officiating. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook through the church website, https://christchurchhornell.org. Burial will be in Valley Brook Cemetery, Andover, NY.
Marge’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the Christ Episcopal Church, PO Box 336, Hornell, NY 14843 or Care First Hospice, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.
