Obituary of Gail Wadsworth Burnham Kamm

GAIL WADSWORTH BURNHAM KAMM

Gail Wadsworth Burnham Kamm, 90, of Clifton Park peacefully passed away in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Gail was born in Hartford Connecticut, the daughter of Henry Augustus Burnham and Ruth Mae Burnham. Gail and her sisters, Lois and Patricia, enjoyed an idyllic childhood, climbing trees in Hartford’s Keney Park and summering on Peaks Island in Maine and Lake Haywood in Colchester, CT. After graduating with honors from Hartford’s Weaver High School in 1952, Gail married, moved to NY, and started a family. An exceptional student, she put herself through college while raising three sons, earning an associate’s degree from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY and later her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY in Albany.

Gail taught English at Lansingburgh High School in Troy for 26 years, and before that was a substitute teacher at Shaker High School in Latham. Her independence and intellect made her a role model for her students, whom she taught to love literature but also instilled in them the value of hard work and self-respect. She retired from teaching in 2005 and is fondly remembered by the countless students she taught over her 30-year career.

Gail’s hard work and financial acumen allowed her to build her dream house in Clifton Park, a picturesque Victorian-style home surrounded by rose gardens.  She was happiest when her home was overflowing with family, friends, and laughter.

Gail was an avid traveler and life-long learner. She traveled across Europe, studied abroad at Oxford, and drove across the country in her RV. Whether camping in Vermont or dancing a jig in Ireland, Gail embraced life. She enjoyed Broadway shows, ballet, and was an usher at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady. As much as she loved travel and adventure, there was nowhere she would rather be than her cottage on Peaks Island, sitting with her dog Molly at her feet, surrounded by family.

Of her many accomplishments, Gail was most proud of her three sons, Edward J. Kamm (Darlene), Jeffrey Wadsworth Kamm, and Jonathan William Kamm (Melissa). She cherished her grandchildren, Benjamin Henry Kamm, Michael Ryan Kamm, and Danielle Brooke Kamm, who affectionately called her, “Mimi.”

Gail is survived by her sister, Patricia Burnham Bylenski, her brother-in-law John R. Bylenski, Sr. of North Granby, CT, her many nieces and nephews, and her step-grandchildren. The family is especially grateful to Betty Olf, Gail’s dear friend and neighbor, for her love and support.

Gail is predeceased by her parents Henry and Ruth Burnham, her sister Lois Burnham Field, and her brother-in-law Donald Field, who are waiting to welcome her home.

Relatives and friends are invited to join together with Gail’s family at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065 on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. and also to share reflections beginning at 5:30 p.m.

You are also invited to join the family on Saturday morning, May 10, 2025 for at 10:00 a.m. graveside service at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, 1 Cottage Grove Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002.

Contributions in memory of Gail Wadsworth Burnham Kamm may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Please feel free to view the Memorial Video and or offer your online Condolences by using those tabs on this website.