Mary Elizabeth Prevallet-Burns

Mary Elizabeth Prevallet-Burns (Klien), 62, passed away on May 9, 2016 in the Honor Health Deer Valley Critical Care Unit after a nearly three week long battle to stay alive her heart finally gave out. She was born on January 19, 1954 to the late Helen Johnson (Miller) in St. Louis, Missouri.

After graduating from Silex High School in Missouri Mary proudly served her country in the US Army from 1974-1978 when she became a mom she was Honorably Discharged from her duty. Mary always said she loved being in the Army and compared it to Girl Scouts, she very much enjoyed sharing the stories from when she was stationed in Germany. Mary had two children from her first marriage, Roseanna and Phillip. Mary came to Arizona in 1979 and attended Glendale Community College. Mary went into banking in 1982, she loved her customers and they loved her. She spent more than 30 years in the banking industry working initially at First Interstate Bank which was bought by Wells Fargo. Mary left Wells Fargo in 2001 and joined the AmTrust Family, she was employed there at the time of her death but had planned on retiring June 24, 2016. Mary was remarried in 1993 to Robert Burns Jr. her surviving spouse.

Mary was a single parent for the majority of her life, she was a very hard worker, there were times when she held as many as three jobs at a time but she always kept a smile on her face. Mary was an excellent role model for everyone she encountered especially her children, teaching them that all living things have value. She was constantly taking in strays, both people and animals; everyone was always welcome at her table there was always room. Mary was the matriarch of the family, she was the stitching that held everyone together, and she will be deeply missed. Mary enjoyed gardening, thrift store shopping, spending time with her sister, and most importantly her grandchildren- they were her universe. Mary was a no-frills kind of person, she truly enjoyed the little things in life, she was known for her great laugh and wonderful sense of humor. Mary had such a great outlook on life, even if it seemed like it was the end of the world Mary would stay positive and truly believe that everything happens for a reason it was all going to work out. Mary’s mantra was “you are always right where you need to be when you need to be there” and her life reflected that. Mary was very unselfish, she always put others needs above her own. Her happiness came from seeing the people that she loved happy.

She was preceded in death by her father celebrated World War II veteran retired US Army Tech Sargent Olen Johnson and her mother Helen Johnson. She is survived by her husband Robert Burns Jr., her daughter Roseanna Bretoi and her husband Brad, her Son Phillip Prevallet and his wife Carrie, her 7 grandchildren, her older sister Carol Nieman. Mary also leaves behind her fur-baby April and many other loving relatives and friends.

Mary’s life will be celebrated Saturday May 14, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary 200 W Beardsley Rd, Phoenix AZ 85027 with a reception immediately following. Mary has requested to have her ashes scattered at sea, her children, their spouses and grandchildren will carry out her request this summer- date to be determined.