Joanne Yeaton Burns

Born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on March 21, 1929, she was the daughter of Roscoe and Doris (Wallace) Yeaton, the fourth of six children. She was educated in the Plymouth school system and graduated from Plymouth High School and Plymouth Teachers College.

Joanne practice taught first grade in Plymouth and taught at Franklin Street School in Manchester in 1950. Prior to retirement, Joanne had been employed by Hallmark in the Bedford Mall from 1985 until its closing; then worked at Simpler Times in the Bedford Mall for many years. Additionally, Joanne taught penmanship from 1967 until the late 1970's for The Rinehart Functional Handwriting Company throughout New Hampshire public elementary schools.

She enjoyed daily walks in all kinds of weather, swimming at the local YMCA, coffee frappes, pure maple syrup and watching the various birds that visited her birdfeeders. Joanne was a member of the Bedford Presbyterian Church, where she spent time teaching Sunday School and was a member of the Bedford Mother's Club.

She will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many.

Family members include four daughters, Dale Burns Benton and husband Doug of Alexandria, NH; Shirley J. Burns and wife Jordan of Buffalo, New York; Andrea Burns Martel and husband Brian of Amherst, NH; Cynthia Burns Leathers and husband Robby of Goffstown NH ; two sons, Gary P. Burns and wife Ginny of North Andover, MA and Christopher D. Burns of Bedford, NH; 14 grandchildren; Chris Benton and wife Donna, Laura Benton Dapkiewicz and husband Justin, Jon Benton, Andrea Benton; Kathryn Martel, Sara Martel Heaphy and husband Jay, Daniel Martel and wife Amy, Erin Burns, Shelley Burns, Ian Burns; Gary R. Burns, Benjamin Burns; Michael Leathers, Matthew Leathers; 3 great-grandchildren Jameson Martel; Benjamin and Jared Dapkiewicz; siblings Dean Yeaton and wife Rachel of Plymouth, and Doris Y. Evans and husband Howard of Haverhill, NH.

She was predeceased by her former husband Harrison M. Burns Jr. in 2003; siblings Lois Ireland and husband Chet and Phillip Yeaton and wife Rosalie, both of Plymouth; sister, Marge Farnsworth and husband Mike of West Lebanon.

Per Joanne's wishes, there will not be any public services. A private, graveside ceremony will be held by the family at a later date.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Hanover Hill Rehab/Nursing Facility in Manchester for their kindness and wonderful treatment of Joanne in her multiple visits. The family would also like to acknowledge Joanne Goupil for her caring and compassion in all that she did for our mother. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Bedford Presbyterian Church or the charity of one's choice.