Marilyn Kay Burns

It is with a heavy heart, that we have to inform everyone a wonderful and beautiful mother, Marilyn Kay Burns, passed into the loving embrace of God on January 22, 2024. She passed on peacefully during the Sacrament, Anointing of the sick, surrounded by loving family, Sons Brian and Kevin, Daughters (in-laws) Julie and Michelle, Sister Linda, Brother Tom, Grandson Connor, one of her best friends and "Sistah" Joyce, on the phone and in spirit Brother Tim and Niece Nikki, and many more loved ones in fellowship through prayer circle and outreach.

The world was blessed with 81 years of Marilyn's commitment to selfless service to the ones she cared for and to all the new friends she would make everywhere she went. She found her niche where her special nature would shine when she landed in hospitality at Stouffer's hotel, where she worked her way up to Assistant Manager of the banquets department and later moved to help open the new hotel Collins Plaza in the same role. Over those years, she made many friends, helped many new brides feel at ease on their special day, cut and served a thousand or so wedding cakes, and was not afraid of the microphone to get the more shy parties started. In these times, it was common for her coworkers to call her affectionately "Ma Burns", which stuck through her remaining years and was fitting for her caring and Motherly nature.

Marilyn married Joseph Burns in 1968 and had three boys, Kelly, Brian, and Kevin. She deeply loved Joe and her family and would show that love everyday with unending nurturing, guidance, support, and hours working in the kitchen to provide home cooked meals to three growing boys with bottomless stomachs. Marilyn and Joe loved being social and enjoyed the company of family and friends. They would often have neighborhood and family parties, take people out on the boat, organize a week at Delhi lake with an open door policy for visitors, and many other activities along the way.

Marilyn is a kind, caring, and pleasant soul. She was always most happy when her loved ones were happy and when good things happened for them. She always took an active role in lifting everyone around her up even when she was in pain herself. In her later years, she had to visit the hospital for various reasons and had to endure the associated pain and procedures, but she always kept that kind, caring, and smiley nature at the forefront. We can't even count the number of times we overheard the nurses say things like, "she is so sweet", "I just love her", "you are the kind of patient that we love", and various other sentiments.

Marilyn was preceded in her passing, and now welcomed by, her beloved husband Joe, her "number one" son Kelly, brother Bob, her father Bernard, and her beautiful example of motherhood Mom Ariel.

This is a sad time for the countless lives she has touched and influenced over the years, but hopefully we can all look at her engaging, fun, and lovingly successful life as an excellent example on how to live in service to others and try to make this life experience just a little better for the ones we encounter. Just remember to ask yourself "what would Marilyn do?" and try to work in three acts of random kindness a day in Marilyn's honor. (Thanks Karen for that part)