Jane H. Burnham

Jane H. (Stuart) Burnham, 99, of Merrimack, NH, passed away peacefully at the Community Hospice House on November 7th, 2026.

She was born at the Henry Heywood Memorial Hospital in Gardner, MA on January 20th, 1927, to the late Benjamin and Mary (Perry) Stuart. Raised in Baldwinsville, MA, Jane was the youngest of five. After high school, she attended Skidmore College where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1949. Jane loved the time she spent in New York City both as an intern and for the early years of her career.

She met her husband, Benjamin K. Burnham at a New Year’s Eve party on December 31st, 1949. They were married on August 2nd, 1952, and lasted for 63 years through thick and thin until Benjamin’s passing in 2015. Jane and Ben then settled in Gardner, MA where they raised their six children, Benjamin, Steven, Sally, Nancy, Judy, and Bonnie. Jane was a wonderful cook, and her specialty was her apple pie. She was also a wonderful caregiver for her family and always made sure to attend school functions, would act as an assistant Cub Scout Den Mother for her son’s Boy Scout troops, brought her family to church every Sunday and every summer, Jane made sure to bring her children on a vacation, either to Hampton Beach or Lake Winnipesaukee.

After her youngest child started school, Jane went back to work as a nurse but later made a career change and became a salesperson at Jordan Marsh where she worked for 20 years until her retirement in 1990. Not only did Jane love working at Jordan Marsh, but she was also a regular customer there and enjoyed shopping there as well. After her retirement, Jane and Ben continued to enjoy road trips around northern New England. They loved Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, and Cape Cod the most. Jane was also an avid reader and loved a good mystery story and enjoyed playing Suduko.

In addition to her parents, Jane is predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Benjamin Knight Burnham; her four brothers, Benjamin, Bartlett, George, and Clayton and her son-in-law Lewis Shackford.

Jane is survived by her two sons, Benjamin and Steven Burnham; her four daughters, Sally Shackford, Nancy Ellison, Bonnie Sullivan, and Judy Clifford and her husband Dave; her five grandchildren, Nicole Miller, Liana Wojcicki and her husband Dave, Mallory Shackford and her significant other Tim Maslow, Liz Baron and her husband Art, and Matt Sullivan and his wife Julianne; her nine great grandchildren, Stetson Easler, Poppy and Beckham Wojcicki, Jackson and Lewis Maslow, Calvin, Chester and Daphne Baron, and William Sullivan; her cousin Joanne Damon; and several nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack NH on Thursday, November 12th, 2026 from 10 – 11:30 AM. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family at Greenlawn Cemetery in Templeton, MA.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jane’s memory can be made to Home, Health & Hospice Care, c/o Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack NH 03054

The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate staff at the St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH where Jane peacefully and comfortably spent her final days.