Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Mary Louise “Mikie” Burr passed peacefully, with her loving and devoted husband, Donald (Don) Burr. Mikie was treasured by her family and lifelong friends. Although she faced serious health challenges later in life, was incredibly brave, strong, positive, and lived with grace.
Mikie is survived by her husband Donald Burr; her children, Tim Hayes of Vermont, Lori Hayes of New York, and Lisa Hayes of Pennsylvania, Jeffrey (Kimberly) Burr and Amanda McCumiskey of New York; her beloved grandchildren Rachel and Sophie Hayes, Amanda Burr, Mark, Alexandra, and Sam McCumiskey; great-grand children Lucy, Oliver, and Alice Hadsell, and Quinton and Mallory McCumiskey; and many nieces and nephews who loved her as Aunt Mike. Mikie was predeceased by her daughter Mary Kay Hayes (Kristin Vanden Brul) of New York, and sister Bette Anne “Punky” (Arthur) Hayes, also from Angelica, NY.
Mikie was born in the Stone House on Main Street in Angelica, NY, next door to the fire station, on September 29, 1939. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth Wolcott and Mildred Sierk Wolcott who operated the Wolcott Funeral Home from that residence. She grew up in the funeral home, sharing responsibly of answering the fire phone located in their residence with her sister, Punky. As young girls they answered the town’s 24/7 emergency phone number, triggered the fire whistle, and directed responders to the fire, or her father’s hearse (the village ambulance) to the scene. Mikie graduated at age 16 from Angelica Central School, and was devoted to her beloved ‘Class of 1956’. After raising her family, Mikie returned to college to further her education. Her classmates, friends, and family appreciated her beautiful smile, warmth, intelligence, and capacity for remembering facts and phone numbers.
Mikie and Don were married in 1974, and later moved from Belfast, NY to their home in Wellsville, NY, where they hosted many special gatherings with their children, grandchildren, and close family, friends, and neighbors over the years. She was a special Mom to a special needs child of her own, while she also shared herself with the Allegany ARC. Her love was boundless. She and Don enjoyed traveling throughout their marriage, making special memories from roadtrips to beaches to cross country adventures to National Parks, playing golf, swimming in their pool, soaking up every ray of sun, and summers at Rushford Lake. Mikie loved her kitties and visits from her ‘grandpuppies’.
Mikie was an accomplished and respected Human Resources executive. She retired in 2016 from her consulting role with Allegany ARC, where she previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Human Resources (1994-2011). Prior to Allegany ARC, she served as Director of Human Resources at Friendship Dairies (1981-1994), served as Staff Accountant at Motorola (1973-1981) and began her career straight from high school at age sixteen at the New York Telephone Company (1956-1964). Mikie was a trusted friend and mentor, offering valuable perspectives that captured the hearts and minds of family, friends, and colleagues. She was kind to every person she met and found the good in every situation, guiding others to do the same.
The family wishes to thank everyone who cared for Mikie, and provided her love, support, companionship, and encouragement. A celebration of Mikie’s life will be held at a future date at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at Until the Day Dawn Cemetery in Angelica, NY. Mikie wished any contributions in her memory be made to the Allegany ARC or the Hart House, both in Wellsville, NY.
Funeral arrangements are with the Brown & Powers Funeral Home in Angelica.
To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @ Brown Powers FH.
