Obituary of Thelma M. (Burkhouse) Lammes
On Monday, July 3, 2023, Thelma (Burkhouse) Lammes (Brockport)loving wife, mother and grandmother, peacefully passed away at Batavia Hospital at the age of 88.
Predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Dirk Lammes Sr, Thelma was a lovingly devoted wife, mother and grandma. She is survived by her children: Elizabeth (Woodin) Mitchell, Jeffery (Beverly) Woodin, Deborah (James) Redick and Dirk (Kathryn) Lammes; grandchildren
Thomas Mitchell, Justin Woodin, Sarah Woodin, Brian (Jayme) Woodin, Nicole (Gage) Olschewski, Olivia (Anthony) Manfredi, Samuel Lammes and Miles Lammes; great-grandchildren: Bella, Hudson, MaKenna & Mason. Predeceased siblings: Earl, Lloyd, Jim and Pete Burkhouse of Bradford, PA and Roberta (Burkhouse) Martin of Edgewater, FLA.
Thelma was the last of six siblings, born to the late James & Elizabeth (Schuckers) Burkhouse on September 23, 1934 and raised in Bradford, PA. Growing up in a large family, she witnessed her mother’s frugal ways and talents, along with her father’s hard work ethic and laid back demeanor. As a mother & homemaker of six children, Thelma’s mom (BeBe), shined both in the kitchen and as a seamstress.
Those talents were inherited by Thelma resulting in family & friends becoming grateful receivers. Her hands were always busy and her heart, huge. Seldom did you see her just sitting idle without some knitting or crochet needles going a mile a minute. At times you may even find her nodding off but the needles still going and not missing a stitch! Many were blessed with baby blankets that took endless hours to create and no price tag that could cover that labor of love. Her masterpieces were one of a kind and the envy of many. Grandchildren always knew Halloween costumes would be the talk of every kid when grandma was in charge of their making. No ordinary costume would suffice and when you wanted to be a dragon, you’d be sure to have a tail longer than you were tall, as well as being exhausted the next day from dragging it around!
Thelma’s serenity was outside in her gardens. Vegetables or flowers, it didn’t matter because she mastered both. She wasn’t born with green thumbs but all ten fingers. No doubt she would’ve qualified as a Master Gardner with all the knowledge she “cultivated” over her years. From canning and freezing her harvests, to care & pest control, she had the solution. If you had a question, chances are, she probably knew the answer. Or…would find it for you.
One of Thelma’s first jobs in New York, was in a North Chili diner where she served two friends who came in together. One of which would eventually become her husband, Dirk. After raising their children, Thelma was employed at Black & Decker and GE prior to her becoming a Home Health Aide with Westside Home Care & Lifetime Assistance. She was highly requested and respected for her passionate work with her clients. Something that came naturally without effort. Fast forward to years of service later, an arm injury left her retiring. She returned to being a homemaker and enjoying her time in the gardens during the summer months, sometimes babysitting her grandchildren.
Years would pass before a decline in health was beginning to be noticed. After losing her sister to dementia, depression arose and the early stages presented in Thelma. Her dementia was a long battle. Before her admittance into the nursing home, she was non-stop, repeatedly walking in and outside, KNOWING she spent a majority of her time busy, not sitting in a chair, where dementia would eventually take her. Her stubbornness gave that disease a good fight for within her mind, sparks would ignite, taking her to her prior livelihood. Serving everyone before herself.
While her husband was still with her and diagnosed with cancer, she’d often try to wait on him, handing him random objects that had no meaning or importance, only in her mind. For that was her life. Her priority. To take care of those she loved. Even in those years of struggling with the disease, spurts of caring for others would still surface. Almost three years later, she has succumbed to her illness and is now at peace. There’s no doubt her compassionate spirit will be remembered by everyone who knew her. A woman who was forever giving with no expectation in return. She will always be loved, but especially missed. Til we all meet again in God’s Garden. Rest in peace.
