Ann Burrows, 85

Ann Livingston Tracy Burrows, age 85, passed away at Upstate University Hospital after a brief illness on Feb. 15, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Ann was born on Oct. 31, 1932, in Syracuse to Loretta Mary Dattler and John Bayard Tracy. Ann grew up in the Sedgwick Farm neighborhood and graduated from Nottingham High School and Syracuse University where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Ann married her Nottingham High School sweetheart, William P. Burrows, in 1955.
Ann was an elementary school teacher who taught in the Syracuse City School District, Cazenovia Central School District and at Ft. Bragg, N.C., where Bill was stationed during the Korean War. Ann served on the board of directors of Elmcrest Children’s Center and was a director of the Corinthian Foundation. Ann was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Syracuse and a member of University United Methodist Church and Big Moose Community Chapel. For many years, Ann was a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels of Syracuse.
Ann enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends as well as reading, walking, being a homemaker, cheering for SU basketball and football games, travel, and her camp in the Adirondacks on Crag Point, Big Moose Lake. At Ann’s 85th birthday celebration her grandchildren honored her as “joyful, thoughtful, patient, loving, welcoming, uncomplaining and strong.”
Ann was the great-great granddaughter of attorney and two-term New York State Representative Charles Baldwin Sedgwick, who served in Congress during the Civil War and was credited with making the first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives for the abolition of slavery. Ann’s Sedgwick and Tracy ancestors were instrumental in developing the land that today is the Sedgwick Farm neighborhood of Syracuse. Ann was proud of her lineage, which includes distinguished military, such as her great grandfather, Colonel Osgood Vose Tracy who served with distinction throughout the Civil War and her great uncle, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Captain William Gardiner Tracy.
Ann is survived by her husband of 62 years, three children, and seven grandchildren: William Platner, Jr. (Meridyth – Elizabeth and Benjamin), of New Providence, NJ; John Tracy (Sara – Alison and Jay), of Simsbury, CT; and Sarah Ann Burrows Winch (Peter – Ryan, Alexander and Andrew), of Wenham, MA. In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Ann was predeceased by her brother, First Lieutenant John Bayard Tracy, Jr., United States Air Force, who died in 1962 at age 25 in the service of his country, and by her brother, James Grant Tracy.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at the Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, 3541 State Route 31, Baldwinsville. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at University United Methodist Church, 1085 East Genesee St. and the corner of 324 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY.
The Burrows family would like to thank the staff of the Neurology Department at Upstate University Hospital for Ann’s comfort and care. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Upstate Foundation c/o The Friends of Neurology Fund, 750 East Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13210 or Meals on Wheels of Syracuse Inc., 300 Burt St., Syracuse.