Mary Maxine Burns

Sacramento, California - Mary Maxine Burns, 95, of Sacramento died on December 6. She passed peacefully in the loving presence of her children, Patrick and Jolene. Maxine married the love of her life, Joseph Burns, on December 17, 1955 at Sacred Heart Church in Sacramento. Joe passed away on September 3, 2021. She is survived by children Thomas (Jami), Patrick (Rita Burr), & Jolene (Vernon Hughes) and grandchildren Pat (Katie), Beth, Katie, Jeremy (preceded in death), Tyler, Sean (fiancée Amelia), and Jason. Joe and Maxine lived a life of faith, service, and accomplishment and passed these traits along to their children and grandchildren.

Maxine was born July 21, 1926 to Thomas Buhler & Mary (Kearney) Buhler in Rowlett, Texas. She attended Garland High School and then went on to graduate from the St. Paul’s School of Nursing, Dallas, Texas, in 1947, and earned a Bachelor’s in Nursing Education and Sciences at the Incarnate Word College (IWC) in San Antonio, Texas in 1952. She served in the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II and had a wonderful career as a nurse and nursing instructor from 1947 to 1957. She was a member of of Phi Sigma Kappa, American Chemical Society, Alpha Sigma Kappa, and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Maxine was Supervisor of the Nursery at St. Paul’s Hospital, Dallas, Texas in 1947; a nurse at Santa Rosa Hospital, San Antonio, Texas, while attending IWC in 1948-1952; Pediatrics Instructor at St. Paul’s in 1952; then a Pediatric Nursing Instructor at Sacramento Junior College School of Nursing in 1953-1957. She also held a number of volunteer roles, including Student Council President (IWC), and Secretary of the Texas Academy of Science, Nursing procedures volunteer teacher at Holy Family Hospital, East Pakistan in 1963-1966; and member of the Alumni Advisory Board of Incarnate Word College in 1974-1976. She hosted many IWC alumni gatherings through the years. Maxine was active and held various leadership roles with the Ladies Auxiliary for the American Society of Civil Engineers. She served as den mother for Cub Scouts and as Girl Scout Leader for several years. Both her sons and all 4 of her grandsons are Eagle Scouts and her daughter earned First Class.

Maxine enjoyed years of travel throughout the world and was always excited to go on the next trip. The Irish Breakfast Club group, after the 7:30 am church service, was something she and Joe looked forward to each week.

Maxine was very gifted in arts and crafts and was constantly busy with projects and teaching oil painting. She completed hundreds of beautiful oil paintings, many with her good friend Margaret, upholstered many pieces of furniture, sewed clothing, and created fantastic greeting cards for her friends and family for decades of holidays. Her custom-created mini boxes of chocolates were always a welcome treat, handed out with love and her wonderful smile. Maxine’s love of crafts will be carried on by her daughter, Jolene.

We rejoice in her life and have truly been blessed beyond measure to have been able to spend so much time with her. She led her life by example of her deep and unwavering faith. We will cherish the lifetime of memories she has given us all.

Services will be held on January 8, 2021, 10:00 am at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 3235 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. An Inurnment Service will be held at 2:00 pm at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 7101 Verner Avenue, Citrus Heights, CA 95621. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to University of the Incarnate Word, in memory of M. Maxine Buhler Burns at 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209.

Mary Maxine Burns

July 21, 1926 - December 6, 2021