Obituary for Sara Ella Burden (Muscari)
Beloved educator Sara Ella (Muscari) Burden passed away Feb. 25, 2023 in Bel Air, Maryland after a short illness. Born April 7, 1933 in Marietta, Ohio, she was the fourth child of Geraldine Smith Muscari and Pietro Muscari. She is survived by her husband, Henry S. Burden, with whom she celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2022, and their three children: Sara Burden-McClure (Kevin McClure), Henry Burden IV (Deborah Osborne, partner) and Thomas Burden (Bonnie Burden). She is also survived by grandchildren Meredith Burden, Ian McClure and Alana Burden, and by her brother, Dr. Samuel Muscari (Carol Morgan).
After graduating from Marietta College with a B.A. in Speech, Sara came to Harford County to serve as a speech therapist in the Aberdeen School District. A year later, she transferred to a school for special needs children, participating in a project to teach reading skills to this group, and co-writing a teacher’s manual. She also continued her studies, taking graduate school courses at Johns Hopkins University.
In 1955, Sara carpooled to evening classes with a fellow choir member from the Aberdeen Proving Ground Episcopal Chapel Choir. She stopped in at his house one chilly evening for a cup of hot chocolate on the way home, briefly meeting a housemate who was doing the dishes. The housemate, a young research physicist at APG’s Ballistic Research Laboratories, saw her again the next day at the post office, and upon learning that she was unattached, immediately asked her out! And Henry Burden became the love of her life, by her side from then on. She soon joined him in singing in St. John’s church choir, and later in the Harford Choral Society. They were married at St. John’s on July 13, 1957.
Sara took a short hiatus from teaching in 1960, when she became Mom to Sara, then Henry, Jr. (1962) and Thomas (1965). However, reading instruction soon resumed at the insistence of a persistent 2-year-old, and before long all three were reading.
When her firstborn started kindergarten, Sara realized that her second child was eager to go to school as well. She and her dear friend Anne Grieninger founded (and co-taught) the Saint John’s Nursery School the following year, and Henry Burden and Alana Grieninger were in that first class. Starting a school was not inexpensive, and as a combination fundraising and community arts effort, Sara convinced the Baltimore Symphony to provide a series of concerts in Harford and Cecil Counties. She also got the Baltimore Ballet to visit Meadowvale Elementary, do student interaction and present a full evening performance. Logistics and venue arrangements for these performances were done on the kitchen phone on the days she wasn’t teaching; she was a venerable multitasker!
A few years later, in 1970, she approached the headmaster of the Tome School about starting a kindergarten program, and was pleasantly surprised by his immediate acceptance and support. At a time when reading instruction did not start until first grade, her kindergarten was remarkable: students learned to read, print, even write in cursive; they also got some basic math, and plenty of art (salt play dough was manufactured in huge batches on the stove at home, and many former students’ homes still boast the cherry blossom paintings created each year …) and music. Sara even moved in an upright piano from home! Her students regularly scored halfway through second grade level on end of year standardized tests.
The original kindergartners became extended family, staying in touch for the rest of Mrs. B’s life. Thomas was a member of that initial class; Sara always chuckled over how whenever he was unhappy with her, he would call her “Mrs. Burden.” She taught hundreds of students in the Tome kindergarten half-day classes for 26 years — one set mornings, the other afternoons — from Fall 1970 through Spring 1996. During one year, she also taught Public Speaking to Tome high school students. All were treated to her marvelous mix of individually-tailored education, love, and understanding, and she dearly loved following the post-Tome lives of each of “her” kids. Past students describe her as “the mom of Tome School,” and Randy Lofland, who was in that first St. John’s Nursery School class (and later graduated from Tome) notes, “the plain truth is, if you passed through her kindergarten class or were in her orbit, you were heard, understood, loved and encouraged.”
Sara suffered a major stroke in 1992, while visiting her daughter Sara in Austin, Texas. Her family was told at the time that if she pulled through, they would be lucky to have five more years with her. But she had great motivation to recover: Meredith, her first grandchild, was enrolled in Tome kindergarten that year, and Sara was determined to teach her own granddaughter to read! After six weeks of hard work in rehab to regain use of her left side, she was cleared to fly home from Texas — for which occasion she wore a custom-made powder blue cowboy hat! – and with the support of her longtime friend and mentee Bonnie Peebles, gradually resumed teaching.
Beyond teaching, Sara loved music. During childhood, she and her siblings played multiple instruments, and Sara took lessons in voice, piano, violin and flute, playing in recitals and in band. As a parent, she often played the piano at home, teaching songs or lulling her children at bedtime. It was important to her that they also study piano, and Tuesdays after school were lesson days with retired concert pianist Vilma Zaroodny. Her musical background kept her children on their toes, as she kept a sharp ear on practicing from the kitchen! Her fine alto was heard for decades at St. John’s, St. Mary Ann’s and Holy Cross, and she even sang at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Episcopal Chapel and at Perry Point VA afternoon services during the years she chauffeured Sara and then Henry to church organist jobs.
Sara also loved art, and heartily encouraged her children to paint, draw, and try all kinds of media. Works she deemed special were put in the annual Havre de Grace Art Show, and she would often stay up late the night before to ensure that art was nicely framed. Trips to Baltimore often included a visit to a gallery or a walk that just happened to pass by sculptures or interesting architecture. As the nest emptied, she delighted in developing her own skills, taking lessons with a renowned artist and producing a plethora of beautiful watercolor paintings. And as grandchildren developed artistic skills, their biggest fan was their Mimi (named by Meredith), who covered the refrigerator with their art.
In retirement, Sara authored a children’s book, Tom’s Wheels, writing about her youngest’s obsession with things that go, from humble trike to a rebuild of a Fiat 850 convertible.
One of Sara’s greatest joys was helping to raise her granddaughter Meredith, who for many years lived during the week with her Mimi and Granddad. They enjoyed lots of experiences and adventures together, from homemade puppet shows to gymnastics competitions, piano recitals and college graduations – even a trip to Alaska. Meredith fondly recalls their unconditional love and support as a staple throughout her life, and Mimi was always her biggest confidante and supporter.
Sara supervised grandson Ian’s reading development from afar, sending materials and even worksheets to Texas, and checking progress by phone. As he built a following on his YouTube channel, polished video editing skills and grew a niche online business, his beloved Mimi cheered him on, offering helpful customer service tips and scrutinizing his videos in great detail. Unable to attend his Drum Corps International events, she loved watching Ian in action with his horn via choreography videos. She was his first call when he had news of awards or milestones, and he visited her from college every chance he got.
Sara loved granddaughter Alana’s wonderful mixed-media artistry and was deeply impressed by and proud of her youngest grandchild’s creativity. Alana’s viola playing delighted her, and as the pandemic waned, Mimi was thrilled to be treated to some special performances in her living room. And as Alana developed her cosmetology skills, Mimi was excited to have Alana style her hair, and loved their salon times together.
(Family members have shared their own special remembrances of Sara as separate tributes on this site.)
A memorial service honoring Sara’s life will be held on April 15 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 114 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, Maryland. The service will be followed by a reception in the Parish Hall next door. Those wishing to make a donation in her honor are encouraged to consider the organizations below, of which she was a longtime supporter, or others of your choice.
St. John’s Cupboard: P.O. Box 306, Havre de Grace, MD 21078; or contact Sheila McCutcheon at CupboardStJohns114@gmail.com or 410-939-2107.
Austin Girls’ Choir scholarship fund: P.O. Box 4026, Austin, TX 78765; www.girlschoir.com ; office@girlschoir.com or 512-453-0884.
After graduating from Marietta College with a B.A. in Speech, Sara came to Harford County to serve as a speech therapist in the Aberdeen School District. A year later, she transferred to a school for special needs children, participating in a project to teach reading skills to this group, and co-writing a teacher’s manual. She also continued her studies, taking graduate school courses at Johns Hopkins University.
In 1955, Sara carpooled to evening classes with a fellow choir member from the Aberdeen Proving Ground Episcopal Chapel Choir. She stopped in at his house one chilly evening for a cup of hot chocolate on the way home, briefly meeting a housemate who was doing the dishes. The housemate, a young research physicist at APG’s Ballistic Research Laboratories, saw her again the next day at the post office, and upon learning that she was unattached, immediately asked her out! And Henry Burden became the love of her life, by her side from then on. She soon joined him in singing in St. John’s church choir, and later in the Harford Choral Society. They were married at St. John’s on July 13, 1957.
Sara took a short hiatus from teaching in 1960, when she became Mom to Sara, then Henry, Jr. (1962) and Thomas (1965). However, reading instruction soon resumed at the insistence of a persistent 2-year-old, and before long all three were reading.
When her firstborn started kindergarten, Sara realized that her second child was eager to go to school as well. She and her dear friend Anne Grieninger founded (and co-taught) the Saint John’s Nursery School the following year, and Henry Burden and Alana Grieninger were in that first class. Starting a school was not inexpensive, and as a combination fundraising and community arts effort, Sara convinced the Baltimore Symphony to provide a series of concerts in Harford and Cecil Counties. She also got the Baltimore Ballet to visit Meadowvale Elementary, do student interaction and present a full evening performance. Logistics and venue arrangements for these performances were done on the kitchen phone on the days she wasn’t teaching; she was a venerable multitasker!
A few years later, in 1970, she approached the headmaster of the Tome School about starting a kindergarten program, and was pleasantly surprised by his immediate acceptance and support. At a time when reading instruction did not start until first grade, her kindergarten was remarkable: students learned to read, print, even write in cursive; they also got some basic math, and plenty of art (salt play dough was manufactured in huge batches on the stove at home, and many former students’ homes still boast the cherry blossom paintings created each year …) and music. Sara even moved in an upright piano from home! Her students regularly scored halfway through second grade level on end of year standardized tests.
The original kindergartners became extended family, staying in touch for the rest of Mrs. B’s life. Thomas was a member of that initial class; Sara always chuckled over how whenever he was unhappy with her, he would call her “Mrs. Burden.” She taught hundreds of students in the Tome kindergarten half-day classes for 26 years — one set mornings, the other afternoons — from Fall 1970 through Spring 1996. During one year, she also taught Public Speaking to Tome high school students. All were treated to her marvelous mix of individually-tailored education, love, and understanding, and she dearly loved following the post-Tome lives of each of “her” kids. Past students describe her as “the mom of Tome School,” and Randy Lofland, who was in that first St. John’s Nursery School class (and later graduated from Tome) notes, “the plain truth is, if you passed through her kindergarten class or were in her orbit, you were heard, understood, loved and encouraged.”
Sara suffered a major stroke in 1992, while visiting her daughter Sara in Austin, Texas. Her family was told at the time that if she pulled through, they would be lucky to have five more years with her. But she had great motivation to recover: Meredith, her first grandchild, was enrolled in Tome kindergarten that year, and Sara was determined to teach her own granddaughter to read! After six weeks of hard work in rehab to regain use of her left side, she was cleared to fly home from Texas — for which occasion she wore a custom-made powder blue cowboy hat! – and with the support of her longtime friend and mentee Bonnie Peebles, gradually resumed teaching.
Beyond teaching, Sara loved music. During childhood, she and her siblings played multiple instruments, and Sara took lessons in voice, piano, violin and flute, playing in recitals and in band. As a parent, she often played the piano at home, teaching songs or lulling her children at bedtime. It was important to her that they also study piano, and Tuesdays after school were lesson days with retired concert pianist Vilma Zaroodny. Her musical background kept her children on their toes, as she kept a sharp ear on practicing from the kitchen! Her fine alto was heard for decades at St. John’s, St. Mary Ann’s and Holy Cross, and she even sang at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Episcopal Chapel and at Perry Point VA afternoon services during the years she chauffeured Sara and then Henry to church organist jobs.
Sara also loved art, and heartily encouraged her children to paint, draw, and try all kinds of media. Works she deemed special were put in the annual Havre de Grace Art Show, and she would often stay up late the night before to ensure that art was nicely framed. Trips to Baltimore often included a visit to a gallery or a walk that just happened to pass by sculptures or interesting architecture. As the nest emptied, she delighted in developing her own skills, taking lessons with a renowned artist and producing a plethora of beautiful watercolor paintings. And as grandchildren developed artistic skills, their biggest fan was their Mimi (named by Meredith), who covered the refrigerator with their art.
In retirement, Sara authored a children’s book, Tom’s Wheels, writing about her youngest’s obsession with things that go, from humble trike to a rebuild of a Fiat 850 convertible.
One of Sara’s greatest joys was helping to raise her granddaughter Meredith, who for many years lived during the week with her Mimi and Granddad. They enjoyed lots of experiences and adventures together, from homemade puppet shows to gymnastics competitions, piano recitals and college graduations – even a trip to Alaska. Meredith fondly recalls their unconditional love and support as a staple throughout her life, and Mimi was always her biggest confidante and supporter.
Sara supervised grandson Ian’s reading development from afar, sending materials and even worksheets to Texas, and checking progress by phone. As he built a following on his YouTube channel, polished video editing skills and grew a niche online business, his beloved Mimi cheered him on, offering helpful customer service tips and scrutinizing his videos in great detail. Unable to attend his Drum Corps International events, she loved watching Ian in action with his horn via choreography videos. She was his first call when he had news of awards or milestones, and he visited her from college every chance he got.
Sara loved granddaughter Alana’s wonderful mixed-media artistry and was deeply impressed by and proud of her youngest grandchild’s creativity. Alana’s viola playing delighted her, and as the pandemic waned, Mimi was thrilled to be treated to some special performances in her living room. And as Alana developed her cosmetology skills, Mimi was excited to have Alana style her hair, and loved their salon times together.
(Family members have shared their own special remembrances of Sara as separate tributes on this site.)
A memorial service honoring Sara’s life will be held on April 15 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 114 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, Maryland. The service will be followed by a reception in the Parish Hall next door. Those wishing to make a donation in her honor are encouraged to consider the organizations below, of which she was a longtime supporter, or others of your choice.
St. John’s Cupboard: P.O. Box 306, Havre de Grace, MD 21078; or contact Sheila McCutcheon at CupboardStJohns114@gmail.com or 410-939-2107.
Austin Girls’ Choir scholarship fund: P.O. Box 4026, Austin, TX 78765; www.girlschoir.com ; office@girlschoir.com or 512-453-0884.