Joan Ayer Burns

She was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 14, 1931, the daughter of Alma and George Ayer.

She attended Garden City High School and Rochester Institute of Technology.

In addition to being an incredible homemaker, she was an accomplished and award winning silversmith, and also actively assisted in managing her husband’s business.

Joan and her husband Bill traveled the world extensively. She spent many years on their boat cruising the East Coast and the Bahamas with her husband.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, William Burns, and their four children: John Burns of Charlotte, NC, Elizabeth Edwards of West Chester, OH, Mark Burns of Ashburn, VA, and Richard Burns of Vallejo, CA; and her grandchildren, Danielle Edwards, Michael and Cathleen Burns, and Emily and Lindsay Burns.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 7th, at St. Bede Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the American cancer Society.