I met Mary Ellen through mutual friends when she worked at Catholic Family Services. My life had gotten into a bit of disarray, and she was considering going to graduate school for a degree in counseling. We spent time together, but not as dating.  A major issue at the time was a push to end nuclear weapons, which are assembled near Amarillo at the Pantex Plant. The bishop of the Amarillo diocese was leading a march to the plant. We went, and as we walked a reporter for the New York Times joined us; I worked for the Amarillo newspaper, so I was able to direct him to the appropriate people. When we got to the main road to the plant entrance, security had set up a machine gun. The march, though, was entirely peaceful, and none of the marchers attempted to cross onto plant property.  Later, I left a desk editing position, and returned to reporting, which included coverage of the nuclear weapons complex. Mary Ellen's attitude opened my eyes so that my coverage was a lot more aggressive than most medium-sized newspapers that cover the activities of the  largest employer in its circulation area would do.  Through the years, that aggressiveness continued; I felt I would have let her down, if I did not ask the  hard questions and dig out the contrarian views.

I taught Mary Ellen how to text…and that’s the end of the list of things I taught her. In return, she taught me everything I know about how to create community change. She taught me how to be a better father, better person…how to treat people with a firm kindness. She taught me how to laugh (with that giggle) when it all goes wrong. She taught us all how to live life with grace in the face of insurmountable challenges. Simply…she was the best.

Mary Elllen was my friend, my colleague at United Way, my mentor. She had an amazing ability to move mountains while making every one else around her think that they made it happen. She led by walking alongside us. Her sly smile and giggle let us know that she was in the midst of making good trouble. I am a better person and the world is a better place because of Mary Ellen’s presence. I am blessed and heartbroken, and hope to carry on in her memory. May all of us who miss her find comfort through the memory of her love, especially Hannah and Peter. Good job, Mary Ellen Burns!

Oh Mare. We both transfered into Cy-Fair High School as sophomores and soon developed a deep love for tormenting each other. You were my favorite Yankee and I was your most obnoxious Texan. You were my first real girlfriend and I have always held a warm spot in my heart for you. Mare, you were funny, kind, stubborn, articulate, caring, never spoke ill of anyone, and great at winning arguments with me. I was lucky to have known you as a girlfriend and later as a friend. I was looking forward to our 50th high school reunion next year so I could sit down with you and ask, "So what have you been up to for the last 40 years?" God bless your soul Mare. May you be at peace. Bless your family.

1974 senior photo followed by 2 pictures from 1975.

My heart is so full of gratitude and love that I met and became friends with the awesome Mary Ellen Burns. My first meeting with Mary Ellen was through The United Way surrounding the possibility of my school campus receiving a very sizable grant. We (Herff Elementary - SAISD), were one of six schools who were recipients of this fantastic grant.  

The grant included a major focus on parental childhood strategies, development of parental-school teacher support and parental education, which all helped our schools in overlapping ways to target student success and student improvement. 

In my opinion, The United Way - (along with Mary Ellen Burns and Marsha McCombs Shields), is also a major factor in providing boxes of nutritional foods for the students of our entire school district.  This was extremely important because during the winter holiday break, schools were closed and no meals were served, which left hungry children and distressed parents. Mary Ellen and Marsha knew how this  food insecurity would negatively affect our students and community. Thanks to both of them for caring enough to problem solve. 

My friendship with Mary Ellen extended way pass the grant participation dates.  When my husband died of cancer several years later, Mary Ellen found ways to support me including making several visits to my home to check on me.  Her generous acts of kindness, her sweet smiles, and her gentleness all helped me to heal. My heart and my words cannot fully express the great love and respect I have for Mary Ellen Burns. 

I consider Mary Ellen as an active and positive light force.  She will not fade away because she has touched so many of us with her spirit of hope and kindness.  

I offer my sincere and deepest condolences to the family of the awesome Mary Ellen Burns.

Mary Ellen Burns was a force of nature! She was such an amazing person to talk to, to learn from, to vent to, and to just be with. Sending hugs to her family and I hope she is traveling the world above us connecting with all the people that need her guidance. She will be dearly missed.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Mary Ellen Burns

7 juillet 1956 – 15 juin 2023

Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough

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