Frances Burnstein, local official

Frances Burnstein, 75, a former Cherry Hill deputy mayor and councilwoman who founded and for many years led the Cherry Hill Chamber of Commerce, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, at her home after cardiac and other health problems.

After two years as deputy mayor, Mrs. Burnstein took a year off to plan the chamber. In 1977, with her as president, the chamber opened its doors and started helping businesses in South Jersey.

"It started in one room in an office of someone else's business," Mrs. Burnstein's daughter Lori Godorov said.

In less than a decade, the chamber had its own office and was an advocate for its more than 1,000 business members.

Mrs. Burnstein retired after 16 years at the helm of the chamber. Though some controversy surrounded her timing (financial struggles were pushing the chamber to merge with the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey), she said she was proud to have served for as long as she had.

"I feel as if I've just walked my daughter down the aisle, lifted her veil, kissed her goodbye, and sent her on her way," she said after her resignation announcement in 1993. "I feel wonderful. I feel the weight of the world off my shoulders."

She did some consulting through her firm, the Burnstein Group, for several years, and in 1998 was elected chairwoman of the United Way of Camden County's board of trustees. Mrs. Burnstein also served on the Camden County Parks Commission during the 1980s.

Frances Kirshenbaum was born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., graduating from high school in 1952.

While working for her father's undergarment-distribution business in Manhattan, she met Barry Burnstein, who was working for another business in the same building.

The couple married in 1954 and moved to Long Island, N.Y., where they lived until settling in Cherry Hill in 1963.

In addition to her daughter Lori, Mrs. Burnstein is survived by son Steven; daughter Barbara Taglienti, two grandchildren, a brother, and a sister.

Visitation will be from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Platt Memorial Chapels, 2001 Berlin Rd., Cherry Hill, where a funeral will follow. Burial will be in Crescent Memorial Park, Pennsauken.