Cheryl Lee Burnham Reid

Congress, AZ – Cheryl Burnham Reid, 79, passed away on July 17, 2025, peacefully at her home in Congress, Arizona, with her husband, Bruce Reid, granddaughter, Taylor Caterinicchio, and granddog, Ellie, there with her. She was born in Windsor, Vermont, on September 11, 1945, to Hayward and Myrle (Marshall) Farnsworth.

Upon graduating from Windsor High School, Cheryl planned to start college in the fall. Her life path changed with her first traveling adventure heading off to Bitburg, Germany, to marry John Burnham on September 10, 1963. Their children were born there as well. While John was in the USAF they travelled more, living there, plus Georgia, New York, Vermont and finally in New Hampshire.

After a couple years in Boscawen, John and Cheryl purchased a home and settled in Penacook in 1971 where they raised their children. Cheryl was a self-proclaimed “domestic engineer” until her children were in elementary school when she worked as teachers’ and librarian aides for the Merrimack Valley School District. A few years after John’s unexpected death in 1982, she returned to Windsor, VT. She worked for a while in a dental office and enjoyed being closer to her parents, family and friends. She enjoyed renovating her Penacook home, camping, bowling, painting and needlework over the years. Cheryl loved to read a good book with a cup of tea!

Cheryl took off on another adventure! Driving her mini motorhome to Florida during the winter of 1991 she travelled with her parents and while there met her current husband, Bruce Reid. They were married on March 27, 2001, in Prescott, Arizona, and with a few different motorhomes during their cross-country journeys she made several life-long friends, and enjoyed keeping score at Bruce’s horseshoe tournaments, proudly earning her “coffee fund”. Shane and Zach also spent time with them, meeting up when they were in their different locations. Cheryl also enjoyed visits with Bruce’s sons, Bruce Reid, Jr. of Montana, Troy Reid of California, and Lance Reid of Nevada. Their travels over those years were also spent with both of their families all over areas the country. New England was the choice for only three seasons!

Travels slowed in 2021 with the first health diagnosis and treatments. In 2023 Cheryl “retired” from traveling with her second diagnosis and further treatments, settling in at their home-base in North Ranch RV Park where she enjoyed her time with visits from family … Andre, Martha and Korrie, Mark and Kyle, Matthew and Ann, her daughter, and over the last few months weekly visits for support and making her favorite meals with Taylor and Ellie. Their last visit of corn chowder and blueberry muffins, to be eaten on her next journey. Times were also spent visiting many friends during the winter seasons, watching the roadrunners, wild rabbits and many birds, plus beautiful sunrises and sunsets. She enjoyed and loved it all!

Cheryl is survived by her husband, Bruce Reid of Congress, AZ; two children, daughter Regina Buteau and husband Andy of Vermont, and son Shane Burnham of New Hampshire; four grandchildren Zacharie Burnham and Geneieve of Maine, Matthew Ormsbee and wife Ann of Massachusetts, Taylor Caterinicchio and husband Alex of Arizona, and Mabel Buteau and partner Garett of Vermont; two siblings Dana Farnsworth and wife Linda of New Hampshire, and Mark Farnsworth and wife Debra of South Carolina; brother in law Andre Ingalls of Vermont, brother in law Buzz Burnham and wife, Patty, of Washington and sister in law Joan Willis and husband John of Georgia; several nieces and nephews, plus cousins and other relatives; and many RVing friends all over the country. Cheryl was preceded in death by her first husband, both parents and her younger sister, Martha Ingalls.

A special thank you to Joan Dahmer, MD, and staff of HonorHealth Cancer Care-Surprise Medical Oncology, Surprise, Arizona, and Riley, Heather and Katie, her Team X caregivers from Hospice of the Valley, for her home hospice care. Thank you to Cheryl’s North Ranch neighbor, Robin, for visits and meals.

A graveside service will be held in the spring of 2026 in the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor, Vermont.

If one wishes to make a memorial donation in Cheryl’s memory, we would like to support not for profit organizations: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or continue Cheryl’s annual donations during the year to a local Food Pantry of your choice.