Michelle Louise Burns

Born in Fall River, MA, and a longtime resident of Swansea, MA, she was a daughter of the late Paul & Joan (Silva) Berard.

Michelle graduated from Diman Regional Technical High School, Fall River, MA in 1978, and received an associate degree in finance from Bentley College, Waltham, MA in 1997.

While serving on active duty with the United States Air Force and Massachusetts Air National Guard she graduated from the NCO Leadership School in 1984, and Supervisory Development School in 1984. MSgt Michelle L. Burns served over 28 years on active duty with the United States Air Force and Massachusetts National Guard and retired on August 31, 2006. Shortly after Michelle’s retirement she went to work for Silicon Valley Bank as an Executive Assistant.

She was the loving mother of Justin M. Coots of Attleboro, MA, Nicholas A. Coots of Norwood, MA, and the late Joshua Paul Coots, who died on January 30. 1986; her husband William J. Burns of Wrentham, MA, stepdaughter Michele L. Burns of Marina Del Ray, CA, and stepson Michael S. Burns of Whitinsville, MA. cherished grandmother of Avery Rose Coots of Maynard, MA and Brody James Coots & Michelle Grace Coots of Norwood, MA; beloved sister of Joan Masters of Swansea, MA, Rachel Dias of Fall River, MA, Paul Berard, Jr. and his wife Cherilyn of Swansea, MA and the late Elaine Marie Berard, who passed away on February 14, 1977; and adored aunt to many nieces and nephews.

After a 15-month-long battle with cancer she was able to leave us the way she wanted, surrounded by family and friends and is finally at peace.

Her visitation will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street, Norwood, MA.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 10:00 AM in St. Mary Parish, 1 Church Square, Franklin, MA. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Franklin, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michelle’s memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/donate.