Mary O.P. SR

Sister Mary Burns OP (Sister William) Sister Mary Burns formerly Sister William age 83 died at Regina Health Center on Wednesday May 19 2004. Sister Mary was born on December 27 1920 in Covington Kentucky to William and Helen Burns. She entered the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron from St. Joseph Parish Alliance in 1938 and made her first profession on July 7 1940. Sister Mary began teaching at St. Vincent High School Akron where she taught from 1943-46; at Our Lady of the Elms High School from 1946-63 where she was well-known in the areas of drama debate and speech; at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown from 1967-71 and at Cleveland Central Catholic from 1971-72. Sister was principal at Our Lady of the Elms High School from 1973-76 and was part-time professor at Kent State University from 1976-81. She served as parish social minister at Immaculate Conception Parish Ravenna from 1980-83. Sister Mary worked as pastoral associate at Ascension Church New Milford New Jersey from 1983-90 as Parish Resource Worker for Catholic Community Service for the Archdiocese of Newark from 1990-91 and as a substitute teacher in the Archdiocese from 1991-92. Sister Mary returned to the Elms Motherhouse in 1992 where she gave community service. Sister Mary has held several position of leadership with her religious Congregation: she was Novice Director from 1959-63; was a member of the Assembly throughout the 1970s and was elected Councillor of her Congregation serving a four-year term from 1969-73. Due to her health Sister Mary was transferred to Regina Health Center on May 7 1997. Sister Mary was preceded in death by her sister Catherine. She is survived by brothers William (Mary Lou) of Akron; Frank (Marilyn) of New Concord OH; Dr. Anthony of Muncie IN; Paul (Ann) of Rockville MD; Robert (Barbara) of Reedville VA; Joseph (Sue) of Brandon FL; and sisters Angela (James) Carey of Florissant MO; and Patricia (Bernard) Peroz of Burnsville MN and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours are at Our Lady of the Elms Convent 1230 W. Market St. Akron on Monday May 24 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. with Wake Service at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday May 25 at 10:00 a.m. in the Convent Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Our Lady of the Elms-Sisters of St. Dominic Foundation.