Helen Frances Burns

Helen was born May 11, 1923 in Clifton, AZ and passed peacefully on April 3, 2023 in Scottsdale, AZ. She was preceded in death by parents William and Frances Smith, husband Robert Burns, brothers William “Bud” Smith and Brad Smith, sister Florence “Peggy” Sandoz (Henry), and step son Brian Burns. She is survived by step son Robert Burns Jr. (Mary Helen), Brian’s wife Carmen Burns, and sisters-in-law Judy Smith and Virginia Smith, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen grew up in Clifton, AZ where she went to school through her junior year when she moved to Tempe, AZ. She graduated from Tempe High, attended one year at AZ State Teacher’s College (now Arizona State University), and also a business college in Phoenix.

Tennis was her favorite sport which she played during high school and enjoyed watching on TV. She later took up golf and enjoyed playing with Bob and friends. She worked in personnel and accounting for various government agencies for 28 years before retiring in 1971.

She spent most of her life in AZ but also lived in Carson City NV. She spent her final fours year in assisted living in Scottsdale AZ. She enjoyed her pet birds, sewing, embroidery, crafts, gardening and painting.

Graveside services will be held Friday, April 7th at 1:00PM at Green Acres Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ at the Serenity Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Helen’s memory at shrinerschildrens.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresmortuary.net for the Burns family.