Matushka Cecelia [Clara] Burdikoff, 73, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, September 12, 2016, at Saratoga Hospital here.
Born April 23, 1943 in Elyria, OH to John and Clara Pleska, she and her husband, Archpriest Igor Burdikoff, retired Rector of Christ the Saviour Church, Ballston Lake, NY, were married in Lorain, OH on December 27, 1964. During their 51 years of marriage, she devoted herself to the Orthodox faith serving as a choir director and Church school teacher and volunteering wherever she was needed. Her love for music enabled her to be an accomplished piano and accordion player and an amateur song and story writer.
Matushka Cecelia earned degrees from Bowling State University, Montclair University and SUNY Albany. Throughout her professional life, she worked as a teacher in Michigan, New Jersey, and New York. In her last position before retirement, she worked as a library specialist at Veeder Elementary School in the South Colonie, NY School District. She had been awarded a gramota by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America for her steadfast loyalty and service to the Church.
In addition to her husband, Father Igor, Matushka Cecelia is survived by their three children—Deacon Michael [Karen] Burdikoff, Burnt Hills, NY; Stephanie [Jeff] Burdikoff-Zak, Glastonbury, CT; and Christine [Brian] Burdikoff-Boucher, Chapin, SC—three grandchildren, Catherine Rose, Emily Mary, and Abigail Eva; two siblings, Linda [Tim] Halligan and John [Miriam] Pleska; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16 at Christ the Saviour Church, 349 Eastline Road, Ballston Lake, NY. A Parastas will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. His Eminence, Archbishop Michael will preside at Funeral services at the church at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, with interment to follow at New Skete Monastery Cemetery, Cambridge, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Matushka Cecelia’s memory may be made to the Christ the Saviour Church Memorial Fund or New Skete Monastery.
May Matushka Cecelia’s memory be eternal!