Briana Lynn Burghardt

Briana Lynn Burghardt, 43, of Lisle and Johnson City passed away after a valiant effort to overcome a multitude of life-threatening ailments. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Leaman and Mary Burghardt; maternal grandfather, Albert Shrauger; and beloved uncle, Eric Burghardt. Briana is survived by the light of her life and her greatest accomplishment, her daughter, Nylah Rae; parents, Steven and Linda Burghardt; sister and brother-in-law, Kylie and Kyle Hrehor; nieces, Athena and Moira; nephew, Raiden; maternal grandmother, Winogene Shrauger; aunts and uncles, Debbie (Tom) Decker, Scott (Sharon) Burghardt, Jason (Kristin) Burghardt, Eileen (Richard) Taylor, Glenda (Tim) Lown, Rebecca (Martin) Foran and Timothy (Lori) Shrauger; cousins, Kaitlyn, Matt, Whitlee, Ashlee, Baylee, Naomi, Jeffery, Krishel, Aaron, Taylor, Marquis, Davontee, Ashley, Victoria, Sierra, and Ben; father of Nylah, Gary Bush and his family from Margaretville; and her extended family at the Maine Endwell School District. 

Bri was born on January 18th during the coldest night of the winter.  Every birthday since has been celebrated with a snowstorm.  Bri attended and graduated from Whitney Point Central School where she was a three-sport athlete, excelling in field hockey ( All State), basketball (All Metro), and softball (First Team All Star).   In 2020, Bri's athletic accomplishments were honored by being inducted in the Section IV Athletic Hall of Fame.  After graduation, she attended Houghton College where she was a member of their successful field hockey team.  Houghton is where she made so many of her lifelong friends.  During her time there, she studied Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish, while waitressing in the local restaurant.  After graduating Cum Laude, Bri stayed and was the assistant coach and then the head coach for 1 season.  She then returned home to begin looking for a teaching job, where she was hired as a 2nd grade teacher at Homer Brink.  After one year in second grade, she moved up to 3rd grade where she taught for 15 years.  After her stint in 3rd grade, she took the leap to become a STEM teacher, traveling to different buildings providing specialized instruction.  During her time at Maine-Endwell, Bri also demonstrated her amazing ability to coach.  She coached field hockey, basketball and lacrosse, all at the modified level.  Her love for her athletes prompted her to coach year-round, taking teams to local leagues and tournaments.  On top of teaching and coaching, Bri was the advisor for Think Tank, Operetta, Can Challenge, App Challenge, Student Council and other clubs.   

Bri was also an avid crafter, starting a business during the pandemic which she named NyRae Creations after the light of her life.  Her ever-changing inventory were hits at all of the shows she attended.  Bri also organized local craft shows at Ford Hill and St. Pat's during the holidays that were local resident favorites.  Vendors fought for spots in her shows and always wanted to come back.    

Family and friends may call from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Wednesday, July 30 at Nichols Funeral Home, 7323 119th St, Whitney Point, NY 13862. A memorial service will be held at 12:00pm Thursday, July 31 at Union Center Christian Church, 950 Boswell Hill Rd, Endicott, NY 13760.  Friends and family may call from 10:00am until the time of service Thursday at Union Center Christian Church. Graveside services will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Nylah Burghardt-Bush College Fund c/o Steven Burghardt 15 Johnson Hill Rd, Lisle, NY 13797.

Arrangements are under the direction of Corey Dietrich at Nichols Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to the family at www.nicholsfuneral.com.

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