Agnes Marie Burrows

Agnes Marie Burrows, 94, of Newport Beach, California, left us peacefully on July 3, 2025, attended by family and in the comfort of her home of 55 years. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Agnes, or “Aggie,” will be remembered by her family and friends for her kindness, sense of humor, and a contagious joy of the world around her.

Born on January 29, 1931 in Los Angeles, California, Aggie was the daughter of Irish immigrants Jeremiah and Catherine (O’Connor) Cotter, and youngest sister to four siblings: Margaret, Daniel, James, and Catherine. Aggie loved the rich cultural opportunities of her hometown, proudly proclaimed herself a native Californian whenever the subject arose and unabashedly reveled in her Irish heritage.

Aggie married the love of her life, Gordon Burrows, and, until Gordon’s death in 1985, the two shared a passionate romance, a blended family and a vibrant social life. An assiduous worker from a very young age, Aggie put her skills to the task of assisting Gordon, then her future husband, in establishing a small animal veterinarian clinic. For more than 25 years they worked side by side in this successful endeavor.

A love of the ocean and boating eventually brought them to Newport Beach – and Aggie’s home for the rest of her life. A woman of her times, she was the first mate to his Captain status on their Grand Banks, appropriately named the “Aggie M.” Aggie and Gordon were central figures in the Shark Island Yacht Club, where they garnered many trophies competing in Predictable Log Racing and Gordon served as Commodore. Through Shark Island, Aggie forged friendships she treasured for the remainder of her life.

In the years after the early and unexpected death of Gordon, Aggie continued exploring and developing her creative pursuits: sewing, cooking, and taking lessons in French, drawing, and watercolor. She traveled the world as well, returning to Ireland to retrace her parent’s birthplaces with her eldest sister and making a new friend on the island of Capri while on a visit to France and Italy. Always up for an adventure and eager to meet up with loved ones, she ventured across the United States, through Europe and to the Dominican Republic. Still game in her 80’s, she hiked Machu Picchu in Peru and went on safari in Kenya. With unending curiosity, a genuine interest in others, and an infectious sense of humor, Aggie made friends everywhere she went.

Aggie celebrated her 90th birthday at home with a pandemic staple “drive-by” party; waving, blowing kisses and offering cake and ice cream to all those who stopped by with birthday greetings. Her 90’s kept her close to home and primarily consisted of family gatherings, watching the water and beach activity from her bay window, and neighborhood walks accompanied by her devoted caregivers. She loved strolling over to North Star beach, waving and greeting neighbors along the way. She would sit at the point and feed the gulls and squirrels while watching all the aquatic center activity. More often than not, she would engage with local fishermen who were always eager to show the smiling, elderly white-haired lady their catch of the day. Aggie led a life rich with loving family, true friends, adventure and laughter. She will be deeply missed.

Matriarch of her family, Aggie is survived by her daughters, Kathleen (Burrows) Howald and Karyn (Burrows) McDonald, stepson Gordon Byron Burrows, devoted son-in-law John Glance, grandchildren Julia Cooper and her spouse, Robert; Theresa Howald Herscowitz and her spouse, Andrew; Brandon Howald and his spouse, Alyson; Austin McDonald; and Kacey Cook and her spouse, Connor. Twelve great-grandchildren who were lucky to have known Aggie as their Great Grammy: Paige, Michael, Brooke, Mary Lucia, Olivia, E.J., William, Reese, Katherine, Anna, Everett and Landon. Aggie was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, and each of her siblings.

A service to celebrate Aggie’s life will be held on July 25 at 2:00 pm at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar. Private viewing is available July 24 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and in the hour prior to the service. All are welcome.