Marie ‘Fran’ O’Hagan Burding, Formerly of Westhampton Beach, Dies November 24

Marie “Fran” O’Hagan Burding of Gold Hill, North Carolina, died in Salisbury, North Carolina, on November 24. She was 89.

Born May 10, 1935 in Neptune, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late George and Marie O’Hagan. She was a graduate of St. Rose High School in Belmar, New Jersey. She also attended Suffolk Community College. She worked as a long distance operator for New Jersey Bell.

In 1953, she married Waldemar Joseph Burding of Westhampton Beach, and moved there. After leaving New Jersey, she worked for New York Tel Telephone Company.

She was active in her community as a Den mother, religious education teacher, school board member for six years, extension homemaker, and nursery school teacher in Riverhead, at Pine Tree Day Nursery, for 12 years, and as a manager for two years.

She also worked as the primary teacher for Old Steeple Playschool in Aquebogue for two years, before moving to Gold Hill, North Carolina, in 1984. During that time, she had four children, Bruce, Sandi, Daniel, and Eric. In 1984, they moved to Gold Hill, where she continued to be active in the community. She was a library associate in children’s services at the East Branch of the Rowan Public Library for nine years.

She was also a storyteller, telling to children and adult groups. After retiring, she volunteered at the library, transcribing interviews for the World War II project for 15 years, earning the Governor’s Award. In 1997, she joined the Friends of the Library Board, serving as an officer for 15 years, seven of them as president, earning awards at the local and state level. A member of Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury, her activities were Rosary maker and children’s liturgist for eight years and at the Rowan Helping Ministries in the Crisis Center for 12 years. She was a member of Gold Hill and Liberty Extension Services, and TLC, a bereavement group with Powles-Staton Funeral Home, Rockwell.

She was predeceased by her husband, Wally, and her daughter, Sandra Misenheimer, four brothers, and Nathan Kruk, a great-grandson of South Carolina. She is survived by her sons, Bruce (Suzanne) of South Carolina; Daniel of South Carolina, Eric (Wendy) of Roanoke, Virginia; sisters, Joan Jervis of Tigard, Oregon, and Agnes (Martin) Fahey of Oakhurst, New Jersey; grandchildren, David Kruk Jr. of Statesville, North Carolina, Jason Kruk of Taylorsville, North Carolina, and Kelly (Andrew) Jones of Shoreham; great-grandchildren Michael Atherton, Justin and Adam Kruk, and Jayda Marie Jones of New York; step-grandchildren Jennifer and Jason Maxwell, Laura Salzhauer, Deanna Smith and McKenzie Smith; and step-great-grandchildren Kaylee Mathis, Alexander and Isabella Short.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Sacred Heart Church, 275 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147 or to the Wally and Fran Burding Endowment Fund, Rowan Public Library Foundation, 201 West Fisher Street, Salisbury, NC 28144.

The family will receive friends at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, December 6, from 10-11 a.m. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 6, at 11 a.m., with Father John Eckert presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Powles Staton Funeral Home is assisting the Burding family. Online condolences may be made at powlesfuneralhome.com.