Claudine Burnup

Claudine Burnup, 92, formerly of Sackets Harbor, New York, passed away on her birthday, December 19, 2025, at Bishop’s Commons in Oswego, where she had been a resident.

Claudine was born on December 19, 1933, in Boaz, Alabama, the daughter of Claude and Aurora (Lester) Guffey. During the Great Depression, her family moved to Detroit, where her father worked for General Motors. She graduated from Lowery High School in Dearborn, Michigan. There, she pursued her education in art and music. As a teen, she sang during live programs at a radio station in Detroit.  She began her career as a portrait artist and photo colorist at Crane Studios in Detroit, Michigan.

While visiting family friends at a cottage in Sackets Harbor, Claudine met Gaynard Burnup. The couple were married on September 3, 1955, at Christ Episcopal Church in Sackets Harbor. Gaynard worked as a millwright at the Saint Regis Paper Co. and Champion Paper Mill until his retirement.

Claudine was a devoted homemaker and continued her artistic career, specializing in transforming black-and-white photographs into color portraits in her home studio. She worked for many years with Watertown Times staff photographer Jack Zuzula in Sackets Harbor. Many Sackets High graduates still have their senior class pictures colored by Claudine, thanks to Mr. Zuzula.. She also photo-colored for Burns Photography in Watertown, as well as other photographers across the state.

In the 1980s, she revivified her singing talents and recorded two gospel albums. During this time, she was a much-requested speaker and singer at clubs and civic groups in New York and Ontario. She also learned to play guitar and violin in those years. She and Gaynard were active members of the Black River Valley Fiddlers Association.

Claudine was a member of the Sackets Harbor Fire Department Auxiliary, and the Auxiliary of Harold Townsend American Legion Post 1775 in Sackets. She also enjoyed boating, fishing, and traveling. She and Gaynard spent many winters in Lakeland, Florida.

She is survived by her two children, Kevin Burnup and spouse, Gregory Flannery, of Decatur, Georgia; Sandy and Glenn Durham of Fulton, New York; three grandchildren: Jason Durham, Fulton; Jenny and Greg Hagan, Columbus, Ohio; and April and Chris Little, Locke, New York; three siblings, Doris Kellie of Lincoln, Nebraska, Carol Prall of Mesa, Arizona, and George and Jane Guffey of Clay, Michigan; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Claudine was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gaynard Burnup, in 2014, and by their daughter, Bonney Burnup in 1997.

Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Dexter.

A graveside service will be held at Lakeside Cemetery in the spring.

Online condolences may be left at www.dexterfuneralhome.com.

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