ALBANY—Sister Marie Burns died at St. Louise House, Albany, N.Y., on July 29, 2021. She was born April 5, 1933 in Trenton, N.J., to Mary Margaret (McLaughlin)and George Joseph Burns and grew up with two brothers and two sisters.
Her early education took place in local Catholic schools. On graduating from Cathedral High School in Trenton in 1951, she spent eight years as the secretary in the Chancery office for the Diocese of Trenton. She entered the Daughters of Charity from St. Anthony’s Parish, Trenton, in April 1960 in Emmitsburg, Md. Following initial formation, Sister Marie served at St. Vincent’s Infant Home, Timonium, Md.; Kennedy Child Center, New York, N.Y.; St. Joseph’s Villa, Richmond, Va.; Labouré Center, Boston; and Seton Center, Troy, N.Y. Sister Marie then served as Executive Director at Kennedy Child Study Center in New York (1981 to 1986; where she served as the Local Community Superior from 1984 to 1986); and at the Astor Home for Children, Rhinebeck, N.Y. (1986 to 1992; where she served as the Local Community Superior from 1986 to 1992). Sister Marie ministered as the Board Chair at St. Elizabeth Ann Residence, Troy, N.Y. (1992 to 1993); then served at Sacred Heart Residence in Cohoes, N.Y. (1993); and in administration at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, N.Y. (1993 to 2000; where she served as Local Community Superior from 1997 to 2000). Sister next served at the DePaul Provincial House in Albany (March to June 2000); Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Bayside, N.Y. (May to August 2000); Sisters Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. (2000 to 2005); and as an educator and trustee at St. Vincent’s College in Bridgeport, Conn. (2005 to 2013). In July 2013, Sister returned to Albany where she served in the ministry of prayer at St. Louise House until the time of her death.
Sister Marie’s business acumen and management skills helped her to rise to the highest executive levels while continuing to promote the service of the most disadvantaged and persons with special needs. She was known as a strong force in the Daughters of Charity, who was deserving of recognition as a true servant of persons in need.
Sister Marie passed away peacefully at St. Louise House after a period of declining health. Sister Marie was predeceased by her parents; her two sisters, Patricia Guscior and Jeanne DeVaney; and her brother, Rev. John Burns, SJ. She is survived by her brother, Joseph Burns; four nieces and one nephew; many friends, and her Sisters in Community.
A Wake Service was held on August 5 at St. Louise House, 96 Menands Rd., Albany, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial followed on Aug 6 in the chapel, with interment at St. Agnes Cemetery, Albany, NY 12204.
Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Daughters of Charity, 4330 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108.
