Marie Katherine Burns

Marie K. Burns passed this world to be with our Lord on July 18, 2024. She was at her home in assisted living in Houston, Texas, with her daughter Kathy at her side. She had just celebrated her 102nd birthday.

She was born in Trenton, New Jersey on June 5, 1922. Her parents were Thomas and Rose Maschiovecchio (Masine). Marie was the fourth of five children.

She attended Trenton Central High School where she enjoyed gymnastics. While there, she learned the telephone switchboard system and was delighted to attend to the system during lunch periods.

During the onset of World War II, she became an air raid warden. Complete with a white steel helmet and carrying a gas mask, she patrolled her community. Resolved to help with the war effort, she strived to obtain employment in the local aircraft factory. She worked in various positions at the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors, building the Grumman TBM torpedo bomber. During a promotion at that time, her family purchased enough war bonds to gain her a ticket to ride in the three-man bomber. She always remembered that thrill!

Throughout her life, Marie had a passion for bowling. In fact, it was the backdrop of her first date with her future husband, William Joseph Burns. The couple married on May 8, 1948, in Trenton. They built their first house together in 1949 on a property provided by her parents. The loving home they provided paved the road with happiness for their four children.

Marie volunteered happily for all the school activities for her children. She worked for a time as a school cafeteria assistant and later found interest in working with a dear friend Claire Yatsko, at McCrory's Department store near her home. She worked there for many years as assistant manager. Afterwards, the couple provided loving care for their grandchildren before pursuing a lifelong dream of living along the Florida coast.

The beach vacations her children enjoyed were a tradition begun with Marie's parents when she was young. Summer trips to Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Atlantic City, New Jersey created memories that she loved. Marie and her husband continued the beach tradition with their children. Eventually, Marie and Bill enjoyed many years of prosperity in Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton, Florida.

Marie and Bill loved travelling upon their retirement. They always enjoyed day trips to destinations of interest, but also traveled to western Canada on a cruise and explored Europe. In addition, they embarked on an adventure to Italy to trace the homes of Marie’s parents.

After residing in Florida, they made a move to Austin, Texas to live near their daughter, Rosemarie Kaminski, son-in-law Dan, and grandson Kurt. Marie found a lot of joy sewing and crafting with Rosemarie. Marie and Bill resided in Austin for thirty years until moving to Grapevine, Texas. Finally, they moved to Kingwood, Texas in 2017, where their daughter Kathy, with husband Jeff, took loving care of all their needs.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Rose Masine, husband William J. Burns, son Thomas Burns, daughter and son-in-law Rosemarie and Dan Kaminski. She is survived by son William Burns and wife Sally, daughter Kathy Loyka and husband Jeffrey, and daughter-in-law Delores Burns. She was a loving grandmother to nine grandchildren: Emily Burns, Mollie Burns, Andrew Burns and wife Joanna; Kristen Ridgway and husband John, Kelly Vogel and husband Mike, Kate Swanson and husband Tommy, Kurt Kaminski and wife Erica, Kyle Loyka and Evan Loyka, along with eight great grandchildren.

Marie had great passion for providing nurturing guidance to her family and she enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors. Her strength and faith in God are a model for her whole family. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who cherished her family and provided wholesome support

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please choose a donation to:

American Cancer Society, or the American Heart Association.