Sherry Patricia Burnes (nee Gordon) 76 of Leesburg, Va passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

Born on October 21, 1947, in Wilmington, DE, Sherry was the oldest of 10 children born to Maxine and Philip Gordon of New Castle, DE.  Early recognition at the age of 22 months, saw Sherry crowned "Miss Delaware, Jr." following three consecutive Sundays of competition at Augustine Beach Park, DE.  Sherry graduated from St. Peters High School in New Castle, DE in 1965.  She was the recipient of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality Award for having the highest average in business subjects and the New Castle Lion's Club Award for the highest average in English over four years.

Following high school graduation, Sherry was employed at the VA Medical Center in Wilmington, DE, initially in the Dietetic Services area, and then from March 1976 until May 1983, as Administrative Assistant to the Laboratory Director.

On September 7, 1978, Sherry married Donald Burnes and moved to West Chester, PA.  Sherry worked for several Pennsylvania businesses including Weston Environmental Engineering (now Weston Solutions, Inc), Malcolm & Riley, P.C, and Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital.  Her favorite "employment", however, was being a nanny for several years, forming life-long relationships with those she cared for. Madison will always hold a special place in her heart.

In September 2011, Sherry and her husband moved to Leesburg, VA to be closer to their son's family, enjoying many of her grandchildren's activities.

Sherry's favorite family vacation spots were The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe VT and Hilton Head Island, SC.  She also enjoyed two trips to Colorado and another to Lake Tahoe, CA.

Sherry is predeceased by her parents, Mary Maxine Gordon and Philip F. Gordon, two brothers – Philip F. Gordon, Jr ("Mickey") and Patrick Gordon and a sister, Theresa A. O'Leary.  Sherry is survived by her husband of 46 years, Donald L Burnes of Leesburg, VA., her son Theodore ("Ted") Burnes (Andrea), of Ashburn, VA, her grandchildren – Marah and Carter Burnes of Ashburn, VA., her sisters Bonnie Armstrong (Dan), Bernadette Plaza and Daintry Buckman all of Wilmington, DE, and her brothers, Jeff Gordon (Linda) of New Castle, DE, Michael Gordon and Douglas Gordon, both in Wilmington, DE.

The family will honor Sherry on Monday July 1st @ 1pm, with an inurnment ceremony at Union Cemetery in Leesburg, VA.

Condolence messages may be shared in the "Guestbook" section of Sherry's obituary, listed in the Colonial Funeral Home – Leesburg, VA website.