Audrey B. Eberstein

Audrey Burne Eberstein, 79 of Perry, NY passed away on Tuesday May 20th at Suzanne Comfort Care Home in Perry, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Audrey was born on September 15, 1945 in Batavia. The daughter of Perry W. Burne and June (Butler) Burne of Brockport. Audrey spent her early years on the family farm, until her father’s job with General Electric meant a move to the western states where he was involved with the development of missile sites. Upon their return to New York State, the family settled in the Syracuse area where Audrey graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School in 1963.
While pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at SUNY Geneseo, she teamed up with a fellow student to work on a Zoology project. It was a partnership that would last a lifetime. Ford Eberstein and Audrey “Aud” Burne were married on February 9, 1965 while both were still students at Geneseo. She graduated in 1967. Her first job following graduation was at LeRoy Central School teaching second grade. She then accompanied Ford during his military service. She taught Special Ed at Sparrow Point MD, while Ford attended Army Intelligence School at Fort Holabird. Upon his return from Viet Nam, she joined him at Fort Bragg, NC where she taught fourth grade. Following his discharge, the couple returned to Perry in 1971. Audrey was hired that year to begin what was a 30-year career as 2nd grade, 1st grade, muti-age (gr. 1-2) and Kindergarten teacher at Pavilion Central School, from which she retired in 2001.
She was a scorer at Perry Speedway, Genesee Speedway and Freedom raceway as she joined her husband on the stock car racing circuit. She was the coordinator for the Pavilion Retirees Luncheon for many years. She served on the Town of Perry’s Board of Assessment Review. She retired after 12 years as the Castile Historical Society’s Treasurer.
Audrey also spent years both before and after retirement as her husband’s first line editor, critic and often times savior during his 40 plus year career as a writer. If only what was to be the final chapter of Audrey’s story could have been edited. Yet God granted her blessed peace as the last pages of her life were turned.
She is survived by her husband: Ford, 3 siblings: Barry R. Burne of McFarland, WI, Rodney J. Burne (Judy) of Irmo, SC and Shirley I. Burne of Holley, NY. Also surviving are cousins, a niece and 3 nephews, as well as Richard and Laura Eberstein and their family, and many friends.
Along with her parent Audrey is preceded in death by a sister: Beverly Jean Burne.
Family and friends may call from 2-4pm on Tuesday May 27th at the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home 98 North Main St. in Perry. A Memorial service will follow visitation at 4pm.
Audrey will be laid to rest in West Perry Cemetery in Perry.
Memorial contributions may be made to Suzanne’s Comfort Care Home 167 North Main St. Perry, New York 14530 or to A New Start Kitty Shelter 6342 Denton Corners Rd. Castile, New York 14427.