Audrey Ellen Klein McBurney, 77, of Grand Rapids, Mich., died Aug. 13, 2018, in Grand Rapids. Mrs. McBurney was an English and debate teacher and antique dealer. She was a 1958 graduate of Festus High School and a 1961 graduate of Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in education. In addition to teaching, antiquing and volunteering, she enjoyed paddling, hiking and camping with her family; flower gardening; roller skating; visiting Lake Michigan shoreline communities with family and friends; and walking on the beach to hunt for beach glass. She was also was a big movie buff, enjoyed music and concerts, and – according to her family – was “devastatingly good” at Scrabble. Born Aug. 16, 1940, in Festus, she was the daughter of the late Howard Joseph and Alberta (Steiner) Klein.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years: Terence “Terry” McBurney of Grand Rapids, whom she married on a “sweltering August day” in 1964; two children: Kristin McBurney and Karen McBurney, both of Grand Rapids; and three sisters: Marilyn (Jim) Klein Wirick of Bonne Terre, Florence (Carl) Klein Hopkins of Festus and Nancy Klein McMullin of Festus.
Visitation is at 11 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3890 Cascade Road SE, in Grand Rapids, Mich., officiated by Deacon Jim Thorndill. Burial is in the Grand Rapids Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033-7443; or to the Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Arrangements are under the direction of O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home.