Betty M. Kern Allburn

Betty M. Kern Allburn

Betty M. Kern Allburn, age 83, a resident of North East, formerly of Erie, died Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at Golden Living Center Western Reserve following an extended illness. She was born on October 28, 1925 in Erie, the oldest daughter of the late Robert C and Elizabeth M. Kern.

Betty was a 1944 graduate of Villa Maria Academy and worked as an executive secretary at the Erie Resistor Corporation.

Betty married the "love of her life" James N. Allburn Jr. on November 14, 1946 upon his discharge from the United States Army. After her marriage she joined her husband in his family's business Allburn Florists. Betty worked side by side with her loving husband at the 7th and Parade Street store and later at the 17 West 7th Street location. In 1969 Betty embarked on a new career at Saint Vincent Health Center becoming Administrative Assistant to the medical director of the rehabilitation center. She later assumed the position of Director of Volunteer Services until her retirement.

Betty was a member of numerous social and civic organizations including JC's and ZONTA II. She was a founding member of Our Lady of Peace Church; where she was a rosary altar society member and summer festival organizer.

Her retirement years were spent in the sun, sand and surf "madly in love" with her husband Jim at their lake front home. Betty was a beautiful, vivacious and caring woman, a loving wife, wonderful mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, James N. Allburn Jr. by only 38 hour and 47 minutes. She is survived by her three sons, James N. Allburn III and his wife Kathryn of Fairview, Timothy R. Allburn and his wife Bridget of North East and Peter P. Allburn of Ocean Grove, NJ; one sister, Rita Denmark of FL; one brother, Robert Kern of FL and four grandchildren, James N. Allburn IV of Fairview, Megan D. Allburn, Esquire of Washington, DC, Nicholas S. and Trevor J. Allburn both of North East. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint Jude the Apostle Church, 2801 West 6th Street, on Saturday at 1 pm. Memorials may be made to the McCord Library, 32 West Main Street, North East, PA 16428 or to the Community Nurses of North East, 7 Park Street, North East, PA 16428. The John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, is handling arrangements.