Mary T. Burns

West Des Moines

Mary Theresa Burns, age 86, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2016 at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, IA.

Mary was born on March 9, 1929 in Worcester, MA to James and Mary (Quinn) O'Malley. She attended Ascension Catholic High School and graduated from Worcester State College in 1950 with a teaching degree. Upon graduation, Mary taught for several years in Northboro, MA.

On August 7, 1954, she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Bernard (Bernie) Burns at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Worcester. She spent the next four years in Alexandria, VA where Bernie was assigned as a Statistical Services Officer in the Pentagon. She taught in the Alexandria schools for several years until the birth of her first child.

Upon completion of military services, Bernie returned to civilian life and they moved back to Massachusetts, where he worked for State Mutual Life Assurance Company. Their three children, John, Mary and Susan spent their first years being raised in West Boylston, MA. After 5 years with State Mutual, Bernie was interested in making a job change. Mary agreed, as long as the new location could be closer to the ocean, her second love after Bernie. However, that wasn't in the cards. Instead, the family packed up the station wagon, and moved to West Des Moines, IA where Bernie accepted a position with the Equitable Life Assurance Company of Iowa.

Mary and Bernie spent the next 51 years in Iowa, with most of these years in "the house on 23rd Street". Mary did, over time, learn to accept and love Iowa as her home, as long as the family could return to the ocean at Cape Cod, MA every year for 3 weeks.

As the children grew, Mary enjoyed returning to teaching in the West Des Moines school district, teaching at Hillside then Western Hills Elementary schools for several years. She retired in 1989 after 18 years of teaching. Mary was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 50 years.

The whole family, including her grandkids in the later years, looked forward to Mary's weekly Wednesday spaghetti and Sunday dinners. She enjoyed volunteering at the Iowa Historical Museum and the Welcome Center at Living History Farms. She also loved reading and playing bridge.

After retirement, Mary and Bernie enjoyed spending several months each year visiting Orange Beach, AL and Cape Cod, MA. They also looked forward to a monthly overnight visit to a casino where Mary would try not to lose the $40 she brought with her.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, James O' Malley, and sister, Jane Gauthier.

Survivors include the absolute love of her life of 61 years, Bernie Burns of West Des Moines, IA, her three children, B. John (Pam) Burns of Johnston, IA, Mary (Chris) Prine, San Diego, CA and Susan (Steve) Morrison of West Des Moines, IA. She is also survived by her sisters, Elizabeth (Donald) Vigliatura and Anne (Joseph) Butt of Worcester, MA. Grandchildren include Stephanie (Stuart) Keisman and Andrew Axne, Kansas City, MO, Bobby Prine, San Diego, CA, and Kristie Keener, Des Moines. Great Grandchildren, John Elijah and Nathan Asher Keisman, and Haley Howell as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines with a rosary service at 6 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines, IA. Burial at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines immediately following mass.

Mary's family would like to sincerely thank Arbor Springs health care center in West Des Moines for the love and care they have provided for her and our family, during 3 separate periods of time over the last five years. They have certainly made this journey much easier and peaceful for all of us.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Sacred Heart Church.