Belmont, NY - Lena Mae Burdick Chilson, age 84, of State Route 244 passed away on Thursday, September 26, at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. She was born on August 2, 1929 in Belmont on what was known as the Crabtree Farm to Everitts and Gladys Brisbee Burdick. On August 9, 1947 in Belmont she married Ernest Harvey Chilson who predeceased her in 1981.
Lena Graduated from Belmont Central School, class of 1947. She was well known in the 1970's as the Avon Lady in Belmont and she also worked at the Wellsville Manor in the laundry when it first opened. Lena helped fight the good fight when Allegany County was threatened with a nuclear dump site. Her family members still remember her famous white "radiation suit". She was a member of the Church of Christ in Scio and in her earlier years Lena entered numerous poem and jingle writing contests and won an amazing number of them.
Survivors include her six children, David (Meredith) Chilson, Marlene (Gary) Wightman, Rick (Deb) Chilson, Diane Groves, Carolyn (Dennis) Solo and Brian (Renee') Chilson; 13 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and one great- great grandchild; her sister, Phyllis Wray as well as several nieces and nephews.
Lena was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister Helen Kemp and a brother Carl Burdick.
Friends are invited to call on Sunday, September 29, from 2-4 and 7-9 at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont. Lena's funeral will be held on Monday at 1 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Glen Layfield presiding. Burial will take place in Forest Hills Cemetery and memorials in her name may be given to the charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.