Burla Rice Mumford

Burla Rice Mumford, 91, of Pittsburgh and a former long-time resident of Meadville, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2013, at home, with her loving daughter Jean by her side.

Burla Rice Mumford was born in Cooperstown, PA on February 17, 1922, a daughter of Jenny Bradley Rice and David Walter Rice.  She was born on a 120 acre farm and loved her upbringing and memories of her life there.

She attended Trout Run School, a one room school house, and Cooperstown High School until the 11th grade.  Burla then finished her senior year at Oil City High School.  She was a member of the “Greatest Generation” and enlisted in the Navy (Waves) in World War II.  Burla attended Naval Training School in Bronx, NY and was stationed at the Naval Barracks in Washington, DC.  She cherished the friends which she made while in the Waves and was in contact with them all of her life.

Burla married Basil L. Mumford August 4, 1951 and he preceded her in death April 2, 1989.

Burla was constantly active well into her 80s and had a zest for life. She loved to garden her flowers and vegetables.  She crocheted, tatted, and embroidered in her down time in the winter months.  She also loved to read, follow the investment markets, and trace her family tree, which dated back to the early 1700s.  She had a great sense of adventure and traveled to Cuba, the Bahamas and vacationed in Canada each summer, for many years, with her family.  Burla often traveled out west to see her son Robert and his family and lived in Colorado Springs, CO with her daughter Jean, until the wild fires brought them back to Pennsylvania.  Her love and kindness of spirit will be remembered and cherished most of all – she practiced thoughtfulness and acts of kindness throughout her life.

Burla was employed by Avtex for 43 years, retiring in 1984.  She was a member, and often served as a Commander, of The Dorothy Kimbell American Legion Post.  She was a member of Stone United Methodist Church for 65 years and attended many of the church’s functions; she also worked at Stone Church’s rummage sales and in the Meadville Soup Kitchen.

Burla was a lovely soul that will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved her and a blessing to the lives that she touched.   We hope that she is safe, free and shining her light again.

She is survived by a daughter, Jean Mumford of Pittsburgh; a son, Robert Mumford and his wife Sue of Santa Rosa, NM; two granddaughters, Carol Neely and her husband Mike of Albuquerque, NM and Tina McWilliams and her husband Jesse of Glendale, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tenika Dodge-Mumford; two brothers, James Rice and his wife Clara and Charles Rice and his wife Irene; and two sisters, Margaret Pritchard and her husband Norman and Doris Moorhead and her husband Oran.

Services will be private at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville with the Rev. Sarah Roncolato, Pastor of Stone United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery with military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 1128 State St., Suite 310, Erie, PA 16501 or Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main St., Meadville, PA 16335.

Share your memories and condolences at www.waidfuneralhome.net.