Barbara Ann (Clookey) Burl
Barbara Ann (Clookey) Burl went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Jan. 20, 2021, at her home in Conway, South Carolina, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Saranac Lake on April 14, 1934, she was the daughter of Rachel (Sweet) Clookey and Clarence Clookey. Barbara married the love of her life, Preston Burl, on Nov. 17, 1951, at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake. They were married for 61 years until his death on Sept. 11, 2013.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Preston Burl; her daughter Valerie Wales and Valerie’s husband Dennis Wales; her father Clarence Clookey; her mother Rachel (Sweet) Clookey; her sisters Eleanor Carter, June Gowett, Shirley Brier and Phyllis Clookey; and her brother Edward Clookey. She is survived by three daughters: Thalene (Ric) Bates of Conway, South Carolina, Robin (Chris) Barnum of Surfside Beach, South Carolina, and Trista (Joe) Marro of Hillsborough, North Carolina; two sons: Preston (Nancy) Burl of Willow Spring, North Carolina, and Garvin (Robin) Burl of Saranac Lake; nine grandchildren: Nicole Bates Lyon, Eric Bates, Jessica LaDue, Jennifer Cabral, Jonathan Barnum, Samantha Barnum Rasmussen, Emrys Burl, Rachel Marro and Lauren Marro; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Barbara’s greatest joy was being a loving and dedicated mother to her six children. Barbara retired from the Department of Environmental Conservation after 20 years of employment. She was a faithful member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. She loved to volunteer at St. Bernard’s Church and hospice. Barbara was an avid knitter and enjoyed knitting winter hats for the students at St. Bernard’s School. She had been a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxillary and was part of the Women’s Bowling League.
Local funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. Barbara will be laid to rest next to her husband Preston at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Saranac Lake. A memorial will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family.
Friends wishing to remember Barbara may make donations to St. Bernard’s Church or your local hospice chapter.
Family and friends can also share their memories and pictures and sign online at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.