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Beginnings and Endings

6/3/2015

16 Comments

 
That's the story of life, isn't it? On our way south to attend our granddaughter Jessi's graduation ( both a beginning and an ending), we stopped to visit our old neighbor Lon Burr, now living in southern Missouri. Last weekend, Lon lost his wonderful wife, Lynn. We were neighbors on Calhoun Street for 27 years.

Calhoun Street, as all the kids who grew up there will tell you, was a very special space. Our property backed up to the park and swimming pool, as did most of the houses on that side of the street. It seemed like there was a predominance of boys in the families and at any given time, a pick up football, basketball, or baseball game--whatever was in season-- could be found along the street. All the kids knew that in an emergency, they could get help from any adult along the street.

Lon and Lynn had a remodeled what had been an old farmhouse. Lon is a wonderful woodworker and at one point screened in their large patio. Invariably on a summer night, Lynn and Georgia, music and piano teacher who lived across the street, would be out there playing cards, recovering a sofa, or launching some other project that most of us just think about.

Lynn was an excellent seamstress and besides sewing for herself and family, she also whipped up show choir outfits, costumes, wedding apparel, and prom dresses for others. Lon's garage was huge, with every tool known to man and one bay had a higher than normal door. Homecoming week, that garage became float building central. Because Lynn's favorite childhood stage was the teenage years. Seriously. We all threatened to send ours to her and she just laughed that inimitable laugh and said "Bring 'em on. Ya know?"

She is sorely missed. But I'm pretty sure she and Georgia have found a pleasant screened porch somewhere with a few bugs hovering around a yellow light and a deck of cards.

16 Comments
Jerry Kiwala
6/3/2015 12:17:07 am

Well stated Karen. It's as vivid in my mind as if was all just a day ago.

Reply
Deb Noble Droz
6/3/2015 12:28:37 am

Very nicely written Karen! Such amazing women that really blessed our community in so many ways!

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Phyllis Burr Selby
6/3/2015 12:43:31 am

Aunt Lynn's laugh was a punctuation mark accentuating what it takes to lift the soul. Wouldn't her laugh make an incredible ringtone!

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Dinette Myers
6/3/2015 12:50:00 am

They were both very special ladies in so many ways. Calhoun street has some great memories for many folks.

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emily cline link
6/3/2015 12:56:27 am

yes. yes to all those things. It was a magical place in which to grow up. I still think of everyone there. Lon calling me "Knobby Knees". Lynn sewing fair queen dresses just for me, helping me get ready for college. There was so much love in the safe cocoon. Thank you for creating it. xoxoxo

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Liesa Burr Newman
6/3/2015 01:02:08 am

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Liesa Burr Newman
6/3/2015 01:06:46 am

Love this. I am sure I will read this over and over and can't wait gor Dad to wake up so I can read it to him♥

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Karen
6/3/2015 02:39:04 am

So great to see you guys, Liesa! Could you send me that picture you snapped!

Louise Newcomb
6/3/2015 02:03:58 am

We all have such wonderful memories of Calhoun Street. It was just a great place for our kids to grow up and I am thankful for all the good neighbors we were surrounded by. I will always remember Lynn's laugh and there is probably a worn path crossing the street from Lynn and Georgia's daily trips to each other's places. They were quite the pair! We still live on Calhoun Street and it is just not the same as it was in the good old days.

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Carly Duytschaver
6/3/2015 02:06:23 am

Lon and his brother Cleo made the cross that hangs above the altar in St. Joesph's Church. Lynn did have an amazing laugh that captured the hearts of many. Much love to the Burr family.

Mike and Carly

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Lyman Burr
6/3/2015 02:41:57 am

What an awesome testament to my mother and life on Calhoun street Karen! Thank you! I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. I so remember getting my jobs done around the house for Mom as soon as I could so I could get outside as soon as possible. Once there, one could disappear into the neighborhood (or somewhere within a few mile radius) for the rest of the day as long as you headed home when the street lights came on. Such liberties and freedoms now seem scarce in todays world. I guess that's part of what makes the memories now so much more treasured and special. Love you Mom. It was a privilege being your son.

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Craig Ruegsegger
6/3/2015 03:10:02 am

A beautiful remembrance, Karen.

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Barb Keele
6/3/2015 04:19:11 am

Karen, a wonderful tribute to a great former neighbor. Lynn was a key element in making the Calhoun Street neighborhood such a great place to live.

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Barbara Burr Wise
6/3/2015 08:36:30 am

Aunt Lynn. One of my favorite relatives when I was growing up. She made the teenage years delight for me!

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Harriet Hald
6/3/2015 02:07:06 pm

That was a special group of people in that neighborhood. A lifetime of memories and friendships for a lifetime.

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Karel Cline
6/3/2015 11:31:46 pm

I remember the STARTED painting Georgia's stairway one eve @ midnight! Always a project! Oh the stories could go on & on...!

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