Marion Burdick Maxson

Marion Burdick Maxson

Geneseo passed away gently on December 17, 2024.

Marion loved music, nature, birds, and especially people. Her lively, deeply loving spirit brought joy and comfort to so many. She frequently reminded friends and family that she was "cute, but deep."

A person with deep spiritual connections expressed in Christian faith, Marion lived her life attuned to the God of her understanding, and devoted to the pursuit of world peace. She was a long time member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church and a frequent visitor to Central Presbyterian Church in Geneseo.

In late November, Marion celebrated 72 years of marriage and, on December 9th, 95 years of life. In her final days, her husband, children and grandchildren as well as their spouses, her great-grandchildren, and friends surrounded her with love, song, and prayer.

Marion was a graduate of Westerly High School in Westerly, RI. She attended Salem College in Salem, WV and obtained a bachelor's degree in Music, Summa Cum Laude. At Salem College, she met Richard "Dick" Maxson, whose campus job was to sweep the floors of the music building where she practiced every evening. They married in 1952.

Marion and Richard moved to Butler, PA and Lansing, MI, and then back to Butler, raising their family of six children. Through five decades, Marion taught hundreds of piano students, finally retiring after teaching her grand-daughters in Geneseo, NY. In retirement, Marion and Richard traveled throughout the US, visiting family and National Parks, and to England for the wedding of a granddaughter.

In her later decades, Marion began writing about family, faith, and her love of the natural world. She was an avid letter-writer and poet, compiling and publishing two books of poetry that she shared widely with family and friends. Her poetry and other writing will be a lasting and loving reminder of her spirit.

Marion is survived by her husband Richard Maxson; children Brian Maxson (Allison Atkinson), Jeffrey Maxson (Anna Ferguson), Linnette Maxson, Pamela Maxson (Bernie Sweeney), Scott Maxson (Linda Glaudin), Julie Maxson (Sue Mieska); brother Roy Burdick; 11 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 12 nieces and nephews.

Marion was predeceased by her parents Paul and Hancy Burdick; beloved sisters Emma Johnson, Esther Burdick; brothers Robert, Victor, Stanley Burdick.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church 23 Main St, Geneseo on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 in her memory.