Elizabeth Betty Garrity Burns

Elizabeth E. (Betty) Burns passed away October 31, 2010, at Taylor Care Center. She was born Oct. 25, 1925, in Louisville, Ky., to George and Loraine (Eberle) Garrity. She graduated with honors from Mercy Academy in Louisville, and she was a clerk for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad for more than 20 years. She married Joseph F. Burns Jr. in 1953 and, they lived in Chicago for nine years before returning to Louisville with their three children. In 1980, she and Joe moved to Jacksonville, where she worked for CSX railroad until she retired.

A skilled seamstress who made many of her own clothes, Betty was known for her beautiful cross stitch, crafts and draperies that adorned her own home and those of family members. She was an avid fan of University of Louisville basketball and University of Florida football. She also enjoyed reading historical fiction and refinishing furniture, and she made wonderful pies.

Betty was a parishioner for many years at Holy Spirit Church in Louisville, and she was a member of San Jose Catholic Church in Jacksonville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, and she is survived by her children, Eileen Everett and her husband, David, of Kent, Ohio; and Barry Burns and his wife, Mona, and Jeff Burns and his wife, Susan, all of Jacksonville; her sister, Mary Lee Otto of Louisville; and six grandchildren, Alaina Ray of Orange Park, Sheila Everett of Columbus, Ohio, Molly Enrick of Stow, Ohio, and Brandon Peters, Brian Burns and Kevin Burns, all of Jacksonville.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 3, at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, from 6 – 8 pm with a vigil at 7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, November 4 at San Jose Catholic Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Centre College of Kentucky, 600 W. Walnut St. Danville, KY 40422, or to Samuel C. Taylor Foundation, 6601 Chester Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32217.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com.