Dorothy Burns

Dorothy Jane O’Donnell Burns died peacefully at Glenmoor Retirement Community in St. Augustine, FL, on May 26, 2017. Dorothy was born in Emporia, KS, on January 19, 1925, the daughter of John and Rachel O’Donnell. Dorothy lived in Emporia, KS, until she moved to Kansas City, MO, where she graduated from nurse’s school becoming a registered nurse.

In 1943, she met the love of her life Virgil G. “Bud” Burns who was attending Kansas State Teacher’s College at Emporia. They later married in New Mexico while Virgil was attending US Army Air Corps flight training; Dorothy and Virgil were married for over 50 years. Dorothy and Virgil lived in Decatur, IL, for most of their life before moving to FL in the 1980’s to be near their beloved grandchildren. She raised two children in Decatur, John M. Burns and James Allan Burns.

Dorothy embraced her Irish heritage, loved to travel, enjoyed entertaining with her husband and collecting nick-naks. She was a member of P.E.O. sorority, regularly attended The First Presbyterian Church, Decatur, IL and Christ Episcopal Church, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

Dorothy is survived by her son John Burns, daughter-in-law Dr. Pam Burns of Jacksonville, FL, daughter-in-law Alison Trimble of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, David Burns, Orlando, FL, Rebecca Burns, Jacksonville, FL and Will Burns, Washington, D.C.; and great-grandchildren, Aaliyah Madurio and Anna Madurio, Jacksonville, FL.

There was a memorial service for Dorothy attended by numerous friends and family at Glenmoor followed by a graveside service at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

Donations in Dorothy’s honor may be sent to Christ Church, 400 San Juan Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082