SARATOGA SPRINGS —Rose Marie Licata, 91, passed away November 23, 2023. Calling hours were 1 November 30, 2023 at Burke funeral home. Mass is 11a.m., Friday, December 1, 2023 at St. Clement’s Church followed by burial at Greenridge. Memorial donations to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. 

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

The staff of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes realize how difficult it is dealing with the holiday season for the first time following the loss of a loved one. For this reason, we extend our thoughts to you during this season. Also, in memory of all those served this past year, we invite you to an inter-faith Memorial Service and tree lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 at 7 p.m. 

The service will be held at a NEW LOCATION: the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs. This service will be a gathering ministered by local pastors and rabbis, as well as singing and playing of both Jewish and Christian music. This memorial will attempt to give you a chance to start the season with prayer for both you and your loved one.

Following the service, there will be a tree lighting ceremony, which will extend everyone an opportunity to place a memorial ornament on the tree. The ornament will be provided and a reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.

We do wish you the best during this holiday season. Feel free to call the funeral home number listed if you need local transportation to and from this memorial ceremony. 

Sincerely,

Mark Phillips, Tom Armer, Dan DeCelle, Nick DeCelle, Jeremiah Thompson, Stephanie Nelson, Anthony Morris, and Melissa Shipley (518-584-5373)

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bonita Design, 81, earned her wings on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at home with her loved ones by her side, after a 7-year battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia. A lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs, Bonnie married her high school sweetheart, Patrick, and they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage together.

Together, they had two children and opened their home to raise four more children, including two nieces and one nephew. She showered each and every one of them with love, kindness, and faith. Bonnie’s passions were her family and adored children. She devoted her time and energy into making each one feel special, valued, and truly loved.

Bonnie worked alongside her beloved husband at their family restaurant, Uncle Sams. Later she worked professionally in the Saratoga County Administrative Office, Saratoga Springs City Court, and the New York State Unified Court System. Upon retiring, she started her favorite position, as nanny to two small children.

Bonnie championed the underdogs, broken-hearted, and lost souls. Her calming mannerisms and open heart would be a balm to their souls. People were drawn to her ability to be non-judgmental and understanding. Her ability to listen intently and discern the true underlying issues gave her strength to help many onto better pathways of life. Her immense love of family, sense of humor, and infinite heart will be missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her mother Muriel Sutton, father William Sutton, mother-in-law Columbia Design, and father-in-law Samuel Design. Bonnie is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Patrick, her two children Samuel (Jennifer) Design and Patricia (James) Design-Dorey, three grandchildren, whom she adored, Alex (Ashley) Design, Cody Design, and Ashley (Robert) Hannan, great-grandson Jackson, nieces Sandy (Howard) Pinsley, Gerianne (John) Hoffman, nephew Paul Batchelder, sister-in-law Columbia (Ed) Rudolph and her three siblings. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Bonnie may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online remembrances may be made at www.armerfuneralhome.com