Mary Elizabeth Burns was born on August 23, 1922, in Chicora, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John Anthony and Stella Gertrude Blatt Burns.

She was well known in Chicora for her work at Uber's Clothing Store where she was employed for more than 50 years, walking up and down the hill for work everyday.

She was a member of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church (Latin for "Mother of Sorrows") in Chicora. She had served on the Parish Council and taught CCD classes. She was a lector and a member of the Christian Mothers and the Legion of Mary Auxiliary. She received the Manifestation of the Kingdom Award from Bishop Donald Willliam Wuerl of the Diocese of Pittsburgh for her volunteer work at the church throughout the years. Mary also delivered Meals on Wheels in Chicora and was a Girl Scout leader for years.

Mary Elizabeth Burns passed away at 4:17 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2009, at Butler Memorial Hospital.

She is survived by four sisters, Catherine Bridget Burns of Chicora, Sr. Therese Burns, SC, of Greensburg, Sr. Mary Michael Burns, SC, of Pittsburgh, and Patricia Bogniak of Corry; two brothers, Regis Paul Burns of Erie and Robert Lawrence Burns of Chicora, all in Pennsylvania; 43 nieces and nephews; and 85 grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by six brothers: Fr. John Anthony Burns, CSSp, Charles Wilson Burns, Philip Joseph Burns, Bernard Leo Burns, James Francis Burns, and Thomas Dennis Burns; a sister, Agnes Louise Maloney; two nieces, Sr. Margaret Burns, SC, and Colleen Maloney; and a nephew, Patrick Maloney.

Mary wrote and produced a weekly family bulletin for 55 years which kept her family connected.

Visitation was Friday, January 2, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Steighner Funeral Home, 111 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, 409 N. Main St., Chicora, with Fr. David DeWitt officiating. Burial followed in Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora. In lieu of flowers, donations were requested to the Sisters of Charity, 129 DePaul Center Rd., Greensburg, PA 15601 or to People Concerned for the Unborn Child, Pittsburgh.

Information from the Butler Eagle on the original memorial.
Additional information and edited by Angela, Member #48620699.