Obituary of Therese Burgener

Therese Burgener (1942-2024) passed away peacefully on July 24. Therese was known for her warm smile, generosity, kindness, elegance, and great dedication to her family. Therese loved to travel, read, cook Swiss cuisine, attend theater and opera, and spend time with her family at home and abroad.

Therese was born in Bern, Switzerland, on December 30, 1942, to the late Fritz and Martha Christen. She and her sister, the late Marianne Friedrich, grew up in Bern. Therese met her husband of 53 years, Francis Burgener, when she was a research lab technician at the University of Bern. Therese and Francis married on August 21, 1970 in Switzerland, and they moved to the United States shortly thereafter, ultimately settling in Rochester, NY and Boston, MA.

In her early days in Rochester, Therese pursued her passion for the arts at Rochester Institute of Technology and worked as a substitute teacher teaching German and art classes to middle school and high school students. Therese retired from substitute teaching after the birth of her children, Philipp Burgener and Michele Reyen, but never gave up her crafting hobby, making and selling boxes, silhouettes and hats among other pieces of art. She also applied her keen eye for design to setting beautiful dinner tables for her numerous dinner parties over the years. Her generosity knew no limits as her many friends and family can attest to.

In addition to Francis, Philipp (his wife, Kathleen Burgener) and Michele (her husband, Matthew Reyen), Therese is survived by her four cherished granddaughters, Annabel Burgener, Eloise Burgener, Willow Reyen and Macey Reyen. She is also survived by Marianne’s children, Marc Friedrich, Christian Friedrich and Francesca Friedrich.

There are no planned services at this time. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memoriam can be made in Therese’s honor to UR Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital.   https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital.aspx