Helene Burnham
Helene A. (Sojkowski, Davis) Burnham, aged 90 years, passed away on Wednesday April 25, 2018. She resided in East Hartford and lived most of her life in Connecticut, though she was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. A graduate of Commerce High School in Springfield, she worked for 28 years with the Defense Contract Administration Services of the Federal Government in Hartford, Connecticut as a traffic management specialist and also acting department chief. She received many Distinguished Service Awards for excellence in her profession, which spanned from 1959 to 1987. She was a social Gemini who loved meeting new people, spending time with family, and traveling to lands near and far. Especially memorable was a trip to Greece, which she spoke of often. She enjoyed dancing, playing bingo and visiting the casinos with her friends and family. Her love of life extended to nature, including butterflies and wildflowers, and her precious cats Achim and Cleo. She had a great sense of humor and her favorite radio show personality was Brad Davis. With her first husband, Andrew S. Davis, she enjoyed riding her Hondamatic 750 motorcycle for weekend trips to Vermont. With her second husband, Alfred B. Burnham, she enjoyed traveling to Pompano Beach, FL and hosting boat parade parties at their condominium on the Intracostal Waterway. On frequent visits to Brimfield Flea Market in Massachusetts, she enjoyed antiquing and sharing Alfred’s appreciation of trains and railroadiana. She was very happy to help Alfred procure a Delaware and Hudson caboose for their East Hartford property and found delight in its total restoration. Together, they went to train and clock shows all over the country. She was predeceased by first husband, Andrew S. Davis, and second husband, Alfred B. Burnham, of the historic East Hartford Burnhams. She was also predeceased by parents Alexander Sojkowski and Rose (Miklaszewski) Sojkowski, siblings Marie F. Kostek, Enfield, CT, Walter Sojkowski, Feeding Hills, MA, and Stanley Sojkowski, Enfield, CT. She is survived by sister Irene Giuliano, Enfield, CT, sisters-in-law Fidelia Sojkowski and Bertha Sojkowski and nieces, Pat Grant, Sheralyn Giuliano, and Laura Giuliano and nephews Ray Sojkowski, Rick Giuliano, Bill Giuliano and Stephen Sojkowski and numerous grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to honor Helene A. Burnham to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza Suite 200, East Hartford, CT 06108. She lived life like the adventure it was.Obituary
Helene A. (Sojkowski, Davis) Burnham, aged 90 years, passed away on Wednesday April 25, 2018. She resided in East Hartford and lived most of her life in Connecticut, though she was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. A graduate of Commerce High School in Springfield, she worked for 28 years with the Defense Contract Administration Services of the Federal Government in Hartford, Connecticut as a traffic management specialist and also acting department chief. She received many Distinguished Service Awards for excellence in her profession, which spanned from 1959 to 1987. She was a social Gemini who loved meeting new people, spending time with family, and traveling to lands near and far. Especially memorable was a trip to Greece, which she spoke of often. She enjoyed dancing, playing bingo and visiting the casinos with her friends and family. Her love of life extended to nature, including butterflies and wildflowers, and her precious cats Achim and Cleo. She had a great sense of humor and her favorite radio show personality was Brad Davis. With her first husband, Andrew S. Davis, she enjoyed riding her Hondamatic 750 motorcycle for weekend trips to Vermont. With her second husband, Alfred B. Burnham, she enjoyed traveling to Pompano Beach, FL and hosting boat parade parties at their condominium on the Intracostal Waterway. On frequent visits to Brimfield Flea Market in Massachusetts, she enjoyed antiquing and sharing Alfred’s appreciation of trains and railroadiana. She was very happy to help Alfred procure a Delaware and Hudson caboose for their East Hartford property and found delight in its total restoration. Together, they went to train and clock shows all over the country. She was predeceased by first husband, Andrew S. Davis, and second husband, Alfred B. Burnham, of the historic East Hartford Burnhams. She was also predeceased by parents Alexander Sojkowski and Rose (Miklaszewski) Sojkowski, siblings Marie F. Kostek, Enfield, CT, Walter Sojkowski, Feeding Hills, MA, and Stanley Sojkowski, Enfield, CT. She is survived by sister Irene Giuliano, Enfield, CT, sisters-in-law Fidelia Sojkowski and Bertha Sojkowski and nieces, Pat Grant, Sheralyn Giuliano, and Laura Giuliano and nephews Ray Sojkowski, Rick Giuliano, Bill Giuliano and Stephen Sojkowski and numerous grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to honor Helene A. Burnham to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza Suite 200, East Hartford, CT 06108. She lived life like the adventure it was.