Marilyn R. "Mody" (Meattey) Burnett

January 9, 2018

Marilyn R. Burnett

ERVING -  Marilyn R. (Meattey) Burnett,  75, of Erving, died Sunday, January 7, 2018, at Franklin Medical Center, surrounded by her family.  An Erving resident for the majority of her life, Mody - a nickname given by her baby brother who couldn’t pronounce Marilyn, and one that attached to her for life - was born at home, in Fitzwilliam, NH, on September 15, 1942, to Ruth (Baldwin) and Herman Meattey. 

After a tragic fire burned down her family home when she was six, Mody’s family moved to Weare, NH.  One of eight children, Mody and her family again overcame adversity with the sudden loss of their father when she was 11.  While attending Weare High School, and after, Mody - like her older siblings before her - worked to assist the large household, first at Sprigg Electric and then Sylvania.

After marrying Gary Burnett in 1965, Mody moved to Erving and raised three boys, Jason, George, and Mark.  She worked at Erving Paper Mill and more notably at the Box Car Restaurant for years, where her quick tongue was a staple there, serving up more than meals.  Mody was active in the town of Erving, volunteering for many years on the Erving School Committee and school PTO, where she was enjoyed putting on talent show fundraisers, and was never embarrassed to put on a costume and act ridiculous.  She was active in other town affairs, serving as the town librarian at the Erving Center Library, again for many years - due to her love of reading - as well as serving on town political party committees and as an election worker.

Besides reading, Mody enjoyed country music, stemming from her childhood when her family would sit around the kitchen table and sing while her two brothers played guitar.  In her younger yeas she enjoyed going to the beach and sunbathing. She loved baseball, with the Red Sox being her second favorite team.  Whichever team her grandchildren or children were on was always her favorite.  Her vocal support from the bleachers to all kids on the teams was renowned.  The loves of her life were her grandchildren, whom she would drop anything for, at any time.  She was happiest simply having her family together in the back yard for a barbeque, or just relaxing on the back deck with GB watching Russ’ racing pigeons circling the treetops.

Mody leaves behind her son, Jason Burnett and his wife Holly, her son, George Burnett, her son, Mark Burnett and his wife Melanie; grandchildren, Emma Burnett, Kate Burnett, Alix Burnett, Jakob Burnett, Dylan Burnett, and Cameron Burnett, all of Erving, two great-grandchildren, Marnie Dupell and Addison Dupell, of Orange; her sister Beverly Holden of Swanzey, NH, Sandy LeDuc of Dunbarton, NH, and Gail Gaffney, of Weare, NH, along dozens of nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Gary Burnett, in 2016, as well as her brothers, Eugene Meattey, Almon Meattey, Douglas Meattey, and Vernon Meattey, as well as her sister Patsy Searles.

A supporter of her grandchildren’s Relay for Life team, Team Effort, and a caregiver to ones she loved with cancer, donations can be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, via Melanie Burnett, at 25 Swamp Rd., Erving, Ma. 01344.    

Calling hours will be Saturday, January 13, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, MA. 

Burial will be in the spring.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.

You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com