Sharon Regina Burns

She was born September 19, 1940 in Chicago Illinois. She received her bachelor’s degree and met her life partner at Loyola University of Chicago. Sharon was united in marriage to 2nd Lt. James E. Burns on January 26, 1963, and proudly supported her husband as a military wife for over twenty years. In addition, she served as an administrator, librarian, assistant SCIF security officer and classified proposal editor. After moving to Longmont, CO, she became the Office Manager for St. John the Baptist Church. In 2001, she joined the City of Longmont Clerk’s Office but retired because of her husband Jim’s declining health.

Sharon was an animal lover and enjoyed reading crime and mystery novels, knitting chemo caps for others, watching movies and donating money to the casinos at Blackhawk. She sang in countless church choirs and folk groups and volunteered at the Longmont Humane Society grooming pets for adoption. In her last years, Sharon enjoyed face timing with her family, playing games on her iPad, watching South Korean romance and mystery shows on Netflix (with subtitles) and playing as many hands of gin rummy as she could. She loved her Starbucks vanilla lattes, loved to laugh, loved her family fiercely, and had a strong faith in God.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years Jim, her parents Mary and Henry Keinath, in-laws Stella and Gerald Burns, brothers-in-law Lawrence Burns, Jerry Burns, Mark Saunders and Michael Burns, sisters-in-law Helen Burns and Juanita Burns. She is survived by daughters Katherine Burns, Bridget Burns Laboure, Noreen Burns Sawall (Rob) and by her son Joseph Burns (Kristin). She is also survived by her grandchildren David Bornstein, Victoria (Tori) Burns, Corey Sawall, Megan Burns and Shawna Sawall. She is survived by brother Noel Keinath (Barbro), sisters-in-law Maureen Saunders, Maggie Johson, Rose Burns and brother-in-law Tom Burns (Rozella). She is also survived by her grand dogs.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Military Heroes Fund, which provides high impact grants that celebrate the leadership and selfless service of military members and support the transition from service to civilian life. To make a gift by mail, you can send it to The PenFed Foundation, 2930 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314. Contributions may also be sent to the Longmont Humane Society at 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO 80501.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 3791 Pike Rd, Longmont, CO 80503 on Thursday, June 26th at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236. where Sharon will be buried with her beloved Jim. Sharon and Jim: “In God our love eternal.”