Dorothy Burns

Our beautiful and beloved Dorothy Ann Eberly Burns passed away peacefully in her home on March 23, 2021 with family and friends by her side. Born August 20, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio to Lucille Schmidt Eberly and Charles A. Eberly, Dorothy had a beautiful and full childhood growing up around extended family and friends. In fact, it was one of her friends that was responsible for Dorothy meeting her loving and devoted husband Paul. Dorothy’s photo fell out of her friend’s book in school and Paul picked up the photo and said, “who is this beauty!” They were soon after married and spent 52 wonderful years together raising three children. Paul was in the prestigious Presidential Secret Service detail where he traveled protecting the President while Dorothy “held the fort down!” Paul was transferred to Austin in 1972 where they fell in love with Texas and made Austin their permanent home. Dorothy was a Registered Nurse, graduating from Mt. Carmel School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio. In Austin, she worked at the V.A. Hospital, and culminated her career as a practitioner in her son Tom’s medical practice.

The family were members of Courtyard Tennis Club in Austin where Paul played tennis and finally convinced Dorothy to take up the sport in her 40’s. She loved tennis, however her true love was bridge. She played bridge at the Austin Bridge Studio for years and subsequently earned the coveted and honored title of Silver Life Master in 2008 by The American Contract Bridge League. She was an avid sports fan, especially the Ohio State Buckeyes and the University of Texas Longhorns, attending games of both universities and making Saturdays her and her husband’s day to watch games when it was not possible to attend in person. Dorothy and Paul loved to travel, spending time every year in the mountains of Colorado with their daughter Beverly and cruising the oceans with their son Mike.

In life people were drawn to Dorothy. She was a breath of fresh air, with her dignity, beauty, grace and kindness. Upon meeting her, she always made you feel better. Her smile was huge, and her eyes were always bright and full of life and love. Our hearts are broken, and she will forever be missed.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you send your own mother or a loved one flowers. In some way, we ask that you spend your time nurturing and taking care of your relationships with family and friends. In this, we feel that through kindness and love we honor Dorothy in the best possible way.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and her loving and devoted husband. She is survived by her daughter Beverly, her son Mike and his wife Lori, her son Tom and his wife Phoebe, her four grandchildren Grant Glenn and his wife Alisa, Alex Glenn, Kendall Burns and Peyton Burns, her great-granddaughter Cali Glenn, her sister Mary Ellen Eberly Wetta, Mary Ellen’s family and her brother Charles Eberly.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Dorothy’s dear friend Viviana Vanin who was always by Dorothy’s side these past years.

A family memorial will be held this summer in the mountains of Steamboat Springs which held many special memories for Dorothy.