Mary A Burns

Born May 2, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Died October 8, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada

Mary Agnes Quinn Burns, Mary, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The second of seven children, she grew up in a multigenerational household surround by family. She was a very happy, giving person throughout her entire life. Raised Catholic, she attended Catholic schools for her education. It is there she discovered her love for dancing by attending many school dances around the city.

Mary married the love of her life, James Burns, on April 15, 1961. They moved to Las Vegas in 1961, a time when the town was full of possibilities but not people. Mary developed a reputation for being a hard and trustworthy worker, eventually becoming one of the first female hotel managers in Las Vegas, overseeing such properties as the Lucerne, the Royal, the Carriage House, and Cambridge Towers. As a working mother, she devoted her time away from work to her young family with James, sons James (Jim) born in 1963 and Tracy born three years later.

Mary loved being social. She had rotating ladies card night with friends that continued for years. There would be lots of laughing and joking, but winning was serious. In 1983, Mary retired from work and began to focus on other interests. She became an avid tennis player. It was during this time that she decided to join James on his hunting safaris.

He taught her how to hunt and shoot, and together they wandered the globe having incredible adventures. They travelled to many countries and cities across six continents. Mary enjoyed interacting with the locals and experiencing many different cultures. Some of her most intense experiences occurred in Russia, Mongolia, Australia, Fiji, and many destinations in Africa.

When James retired, they moved to the Burns Hermitage, a remote ranch in Lincoln County, Nevada, 45 miles from the nearest paved road. A lifelong avid reader, Mary would pick up several books at a time when they went into town for supplies and enjoy them during quieter times at the ranch. They spent many years there welcoming guests from around the world. Mary was a great hostess for her guests and a nurturing caregiver for the

many underprivileged youngsters who participated in the “Kids Camps” they provided through the years.

Mary and James sold the ranch and retired for good. Mary spent her final years enjoying time with her family. She passed away in Las Vegas on October 8, 2025. Mary is survived by her husband of 64 years, James, her sons Jim and Tracy, siblings George, Frances and Patricia, grandchildren Kristy, Makenna, Hunter and Ryder, and great grandchildren Grayson, Gunnar, and Teagan. Mary will have a place in our hearts forever.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.