LEWISTON – Florence M. Tarckini-Burnham, 78, formerly of Auburn, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 27, following a short illness with family by her side. She had been a resident of d’Youville Pavilion since 2001.

She was born in Mexico on Jan. 3, 1927, the first of seven children to Philip and Dolores Boucher of Canada. She was proud of her French and Indian heritages. She spoke fluent French and was often found watching her favorite television shows in French.

In 1945, she married Carroll G. Burnham and had four children. She took great pride in her children and was always supportive of their different talents.

She always enjoyed the humor of those around her and loved to laugh. In her younger years, she was a great dancer and would dance with anyone just to be on the dance floor.

Cooking was her specialty, from good wholesome home-cooked meals to old-fashioned desserts. She had a special knack for turning a two-person meal into a six-person meal without sacrificing its content. All of the items she cooked were from recipes that she had memorized. After having a recipe read to her one time she had it committed to memory. She enjoyed cooking fresh fish that her children and grandchildren would bring to her after a day of fishing.

Her calm and gentle nature, among many other things, will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her children, Betty L. Burnham, David C. Burnham and his wife, “Jeanie,” E. Fred Burnham and Patricia Burnham; her siblings, Arlene Lavoie, Gerard and Joseph Boucher; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Carroll; one sister; two brothers; and one grandson.