Frances Ganusko Burn

Fran, born of immigrants from Poland on 17 November 1925 in Millis, Massachusetts. Fran lived a long and remarkable life filled with love, resilience, and devotion to family and friends. Fran grew up on a farm in Massachusetts and learned at a very young age the importance of hard work and strong family values. Following graduation from high school, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) where she earned the rank of corporal. Fran was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon leaving the military, she was courted by and married Marion L. (Mickey) Burn, Jr. Fran was the mother to four children - Marion L. Burn III, wife Myra S., Robert A Burn, wife Marsha, Richard A. Burn, wife Vicki, and Elizabeth A. (Burn) Philemon, husband M. Wade. In addition to her four children, she was grandmother to twelve grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years - Lieutenant Colonel Marion L (Mickey) Burn, Jr. and her grandson Michael Wade Philemon, Jr.

Fran was known for her strong Roman Catholic faith and was dedicated and passionate about raising her family and being involved in her church and community. She touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

She especially loved reading, cross stitching, and pottery. During her marriage to Mickey, she set up and moved their family numerous times - to Germany, Korea and a myriad of military assignments in the Continental USA, each time packing up a household, arranging for the move and establishing a new home for the family. Mickey served in the United States Army in the early years of their marriage and was deployed to Vietnam. Throughout this difficult time, Fran was instrumental in managing all family matters, raising their four young children and also supporting Mickey overseas.  

Fran was a wonderful daughter, sister and aunt, but she excelled and embodied love, strength, and selflessness in being a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mickey was the “rock” of the family but Fran was the “heart.”

Fran’s long life was a blessing to all who knew her, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

The family wishes to thank Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (hospice) for their loving, gentle and empathetic care for our Mom through their kindness and dignified support.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:00 am on 16 June at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wilmington, North Carolina. The Internment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Wilmington, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity Fran supported for over 30 years, or to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.