Obituary of Franciose A. Burn

Francoise-Noelle Allayrat Burn, a longtime resident of Mountain Lakes, NJ, passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Francoise was born in Orleans, France in November 1936. Her father, Jean Allayrat, was a test pilot in the French Air Force who died tragically in a plane crash four months before she was born. Her mother, Henriette Blanchard Allayrat, owned a women’s hat business.

Francoise grew up in Orleans. At the time she met her future husband, Robert Burn, she was assistant to the Chaplains at a U.S. Army Hospital just outside Orleans. They were married in France in October 1964 and moved to the United States: first to Nutley, NJ and then to Mountain Lakes in 1968. She raised their three children who attended the Mountain Lakes school system from K to 12.

While raising her children, Francoise returned to school to obtain a teaching degree from Montclair State University. Known fondly as Madame Burn to her students, she transmitted her passion for teaching French, first at the Wilson School, but most extensively at Kent Place School in Summit.

Francoise's love for France and her culture was evident in everything she did, from her exquisite taste in clothes and furnishing to her culinary skills, bringing the essence of France into her home and sharing it with those around her. She adored animals, especially her beloved Corgis, and found great joy in helping to rescue dogs from shelters, using her creativity and compassion to find them loving homes. Francoise was a talented singer, loved flowers and gardening, and visiting family in France. One of her favorite things was to write short stories and poems, especially about life as a child in France during the war. These stories will remain a treasured part of her legacy, much like the elegance, charm, and sense of humor she brought into the lives of those who knew her.

Francoise is survived by her husband, Robert Burn of Mountain Lakes; her son, Christopher Burn of Mc Lean, VA; her daughters, Valerie Meriot-Burn of Bethesda, MD; and Celine Burn of Richmond, VA; and seven grandchildren.

The family will have a Memorial Visitation to honor Francoise on Tuesday, September 24th from 3:00 to 7:00pm, at Norman Dean Home for Services in Denville. A church service and interment will be held in the future.

Services are provided by Codey & Mackey Funeral Home of Boonton. To share condolences or a memory with the family, please visit CodeyMackeyFH.com.