Obituary of Catherine A. Burns
Burns of Arlington formerly of Cambridge, June 8, 2017, Catherine A. (Gillis), age 92, a legend of her time for all who knew her. Her friendly nature will be greatly missed. Beloved wife of the late John C. Burns, Jr. Daughter of the late John “Hughie” and Catherine Gillis. Devoted mother of the late John C. Burns, III and his wife the late Stephanie, Anne Burns of Allston, Kathleen Meyer and her husband, Gary of Boulder, CO, Paul Burns and his wife, Susan, of Arlington, Michael Burns and Mary Sortino both of Arlington. Loving grandmother of Christine Daly and her husband Michael, Shawn Burns, Michelle O’Connor and her husband David, Nathan Meyer, Allison Lawlor and her husband Ryan, Kevin Burns and his wife Lindsay, Molly Sortino and her partner David Owen, Joseph Sortino and his partner Allison Hall and the late Michael Burns and Ryan Burns. Great grandmother of Shawn Burns, Ashley Balunas, Kayla and Kelsey O’Connor, Zachary Christy, Grace, Margaret and Maeve Lawlor, Hanna and Ella Burns. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and dear friends, Coley and Debbie Walsh, Ann Sullivan, and the late Helen T. “Nessy” Sheehan. Catherine operated her own clothes cleaning business and also her own catering business. Her greatest joy was working with the teens at the St. Mary's teen center. Catherine's most important focus in life was: her family. Family meant everything to her and what a legacy to leave us. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Catherine’s name to the Arlington Boys and Girls Club, 60 Pond Ln, Arlington, MA 02474. Funeral from the John C. Burns and Sons Funeral Home, 305 Broadway, Cambridge, Monday June 12, at 9:00AM followed by a funeral mass in St. Mary’s Church, Cambridge at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours, Sunday 4-7 PM. Interment, Cambridge Cemetery. www.burnsfuneralhomes.com