Phoebe Lutts Burnham, a lifelong resident of Salem, passed away at home on March 23, 2016 after a lengthy illness. She was 88. Born in Salem on February 28, 1928, she lived her entire life at the same house on Dearborn St. which she shared with her husband for 63 years.

Phoebe was devoted to her family but her passion was the alto saxophone which she played for six decades. She played in the Avocates band, The Golden Echoes band and the Dick Donovan band and many other bands in the area.


She attended Salem public schools where she learned the saxophone in the high school band. She received a B.A. from Boston University in 1950. She was a social worker for the city of Beverly for many years until her marriage.

She was a member of the Samaritan Society and the Womens Friend Society. Phoebe was a talented gardener and could be found in the backyard on any summer day tending to a wide array of plants and shrubs. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed making incredible entrees and desserts for her family and friends. She drove her car up until a year before her death.

She was the daughter of Carlton Lutts, Sr. and Grace Lutts of Cabot Farm in Salem. She is survived by her husband Francis Burnham; a son, Craig Burnham and his wife, Cynthia, and their children Abigail and Kyle; a daughter, Amy Chevoor and her husband, Steven, and their children Benjamin and Alicia; a brother, Richard Lutts, Sr., and his wife Betty; and a sister-in-law Nancy Lutts. She is predeceased by a brother, Carlton Lutts, Jr. of Salem. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.


Funeral services will be private. Arrangements are made by Murphy Funeral Home.