Carolyn Burnworth

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Carolyn Persell Burnworth, who died on Friday, June 28, at her family's cherished home in Westport NY, after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Carolyn treasured spending summers on Lake Champlain since the age of 12, when her father was summer rector at St John's Episcopal Church in Essex.

Carolyn was born in Rochester, NY on December 20, 1940, the second child of The Rt. Rev. Charles B. Persell, Jr. and Emily Persell. Her brothers Charles, Bill and Peter were a constant presence in her life, and she spent as much time with her family of origin as she could over her 83 years, sharing the importance of their Episcopal faith as well as travel and holidays.

Carolyn expanded her family when she met a young priest, Al Burnworth. They married in 1969 and had two daughters, Liz and Dot. Carolyn was a devoted and present mother, volunteering at their elementary school, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader, and working as a Sunday School teacher. The family enjoyed camping, hiking, canoeing, and biking to the library together.

Carolyn was a talented seamstress, sewing clothes for herself and her family, including her own wedding dress and one for her niece. Once Liz and Dot left for college, Carolyn taught herself to quilt, creating more than 100 exquisite, personalized quilts for her extended family, charities, and friends. In summer 2023, her quilts were featured in a solo show at St. John's, Essex. See www.welllovedquilts.com

Carolyn invariably put others ahead of herself. She loved being of service to family, whether it was mending countless outfits, remembering every birthday and anniversary, or supporting the causes that were important to her loved ones. She had a strong commitment to social justice both within the church and in the community, fundraising for CROP walk and volunteering her time serving in homeless shelters.

Carolyn was open to any adventure that came her way, especially when it was with family. She traveled with Al to Alaska, Canada, England and the Caribbean, and then over the last 20 years she had the chance to travel much more, to places like Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey. She visited the Grand Canyon just six months before her death.

Carolyn always had a youthful outlook. She adored the children in her life-her own children and grandchild, her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and even honorary family members she "adopted" through her kindness. She cherished the twelve years that she lived with her granddaughter, reading, creating art, playing with her at the local park, baking, and watching her dance. She maintained a youthful and active spirit right till the end- She went sledding with her granddaughter on the eve of her 80th birthday. During her final year, she was kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, working with a personal trainer, and walking along the canyons in Arizona.

Carolyn is survived by her daughters Elizabeth and Dorothy Burnworth, granddaughter Alexsandra Burnworth, brothers Charles (Caroline) Persell, The Rt. Rev. William (Nancy) Persell, and Peter (Denean) Persell, as well as the many members of her extended family who love her. She is predeceased by her husband of 33 years, The Rev. Alvin Burnworth.

The memorial service and celebration of Carolyn's life will be held on Friday, July 5 at 1pm at St. John's Episcopal Church, Essex, NY 12936, followed by interment of ashes and a light reception in Persell Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: St. John's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 2624 Church St., Essex, NY 12936, www.stjohnsessexny.org; or Cancer Connection, 41 Locust St. Northampton, MA 01060, www.cancer-connection.org.

Services were entrusted to Heidrick Funeral Home, 7521 Court St., Elizabethtown, NY 12932.