Marion Burnham was born in Wellsburg, New York and trained in business and religious education. She received her missionary appointment in 1928. Her first duties overseas included service as secretary of the Missionary Reference Committee and treasurer in the office of the Assam Mission at Gauhati. She served in many capacities over the years and at one point, she supervised the work of over 100 churches. Beginning in 1938, she was superintendent of the Sarah E. White Memorial Hostel for young women in government schools of higher learning in Gauhati. Following World War II, she was responsible for the care of mission property and buildings when Gauhait became a center for Allied troops. Despite retiing in 1960-, she worked for the United Church Board for World Ministries. In response to an urgent need, she went to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to serve for a year as treasurer of the Rhodesian Mission.