Mary Ellen Burns

Mary Ellen Burns, age 92, died peacefully surrounded by family on Oct. 2, 2024 at her residence in Columbia, MD. She was born in Rochester, MN and grew up nearby on her family’s farm in Byron, MN. She graduated from Winona State Teacher’s College and only taught for a year before leaving to work in radio. Mary Ellen worked at radio stations in Green Bay, WI and then in Sterling, IL where she met her husband, Tom. She also worked at a State Hospital in Illinois and at The Chicago Temple (First United Methodist Church of Chicago). In the late 1960’s the family moved to Michigan City, IN when Tom purchased a radio station there. In the 1980’s the family moved to Mount Zion, Illinois where Mary Ellen started and operated two radio stations of her own. While living in Mount Zion, IL, Mary Ellen was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Decatur, IL and also enjoyed attending Mount Zion United Methodist Church.

In more recent years, Mary Ellen and Tom moved to Columbia Maryland where she enjoyed spending time with family and made many new friends.

Mary Ellen was extremely kind and empathetic. She always saw the good in everyone and could find something positive or funny in any situation. She was very creative and loved gardening, quilting, birds, travel, anthropology, and cherry pie.

She is survived by her husband Tom Burns, two daughters, their husbands, and three grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to:

Heart of Illinois Community Foundation

101 S. Main Street, Suite 400

Decatur, IL 62523

217-429-3000

Or

Here is the link to direct donations to the scholarship fund set up in her honor:

Thomas and Mary Ellen Burns Scholarship Fund https://cfmc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3496

Or

Donate to a charity of your choosing

A memorial service was held on October 9, 2024 at Serenity Ridge, Windsor Mill, Maryland.