Veronica Burns

It is with a heavy heart that we share that our wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, educator, and comadre, Veronica Rachel Burns (Lovato), went to heaven to be reunited with her parents; Alvino and Paulina Lovato on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022. She was born in Lubbock, Texas on January 13th, 1949.

Veronica served and supported our Salem-Keizer Community. She started her journey as a Bilingual/Bicultural Chicana educator, and teacher. After attending Oregon College of Education, her first teaching job was at Sprague High School as a Spanish language teacher. She received her Masters in Education in 1996 and continued teaching many bilingual program schools, led several migrant summer school sites, worked as a reading specialist, and in the bilingual Special Ed Interview Process. She also went on a sabbatical with her husband and daughters to Australia for a year in 1988.

Veronica had many passions. In her early years, she joined a newly formed women’s soccer team of Latinas called The Foxy Footers! Later on, she loved spending time at her beach house, taking beach walks with Dan and her grandchildren, as well as playing Yahtzee and Loteria! Her giving heart blessed so many people. She led a children’s dance folkloric group in Salem, donated to Latino graduates and farm workers in our community, as well as several families and individuals that were destined to cross her path.

Veronica is survived by her husband, Daniel Burns; Daughters, Silvana Burns and Sonia Lahley (Adam); grandchildren, Silas, Elaina, River, and Cecelia; siblings, Alvino Jr., Yolanda, David, Samuel, Larry, and Cecilia.

Veronica is preceded by her parents and two siblings; Daniel and Hector Lovato.

Services will be at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service at 605 Commercial St. Se, Salem OR. 97301. Viewing: June 3rd, 2022 from 3-7 pm. Service: June 4th, 2022 at 12 noon. Please join us and share your stories.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to support local Latino graduates in our community. LAC Latino Action Committee P.O. Box 21536, Keizer Oregon 97307. (503) 393-1923. [email protected]