Elsie Florence Sherburne, 92, of Tunkhannock was called home on Sunday October 23rd at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. Born January 30, 1924 in Rose Valley, PA, she was the daughter of the late Earl Lee and Ruth Rosalie Given Sefton and later the step-daughter of James Earl Smith.
Elsie graduated high school as a co-valedictorian in Rural Valley, PA. She worked as a clerk at the nearby A & P. She married the love of her life, Fred Sherburne, on September 12, 1951, celebrating their 65th anniversary last month. They had 3 children (the 3 P’s), 2 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren that she loved dearly. Fred and Elsie happily attended 3 generations of band concerts, dance and piano recitals, athletic games, and family reunions. And she enjoyed cooking for her family, as much as they enjoyed eating it!
Elsie was a lifelong member of the United Methodist church, devoting time to making crafts and homemade Christmas ornaments, doing volunteer service work, and singing in the choir and Public Library Christmas shows. She loved Tunkhannock and their many area friends. She’ll be remembered for her kindness, sweet disposition, great sense of humor, her easy laugh, and her big heart.
She was preceded in death by sister Marion Sefton, brother-in-law Chuck Dill, niece Patricia Dill and stepbrother William Smith.
In addition to her husband Fred, Elsie is survived by her children, Patrick and wife Evelyn, Pam Sherburne and Bob Palmer, Piper Sherburne and Richard Weinsteiger; grandchildren Aaron Sherburne and wife Lauren, and Abby Stroud; great-grandchildren Jocelyn, Jason, Matthew, Nicolas; sister Connie Dill, half-brother James Smith, nephew Rusty Dill; grandnephew Merrill Dill and grandniece Holly Dill.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 26th from 6 – 8 pm at the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA. A private family interment will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm on Sunday November 27th at the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elsie’s name to the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, PO Box 447, Tunkhannock, PA 18657, or the charity of the donor’s choice.