Laurie Burns

Laurie Burns, former Danbury kindergarten teacher and longtime resident of Danbury, died September 21, 2010 at home in Bridgewater. She was born Laurel Adelaide Parent on August 22, 1928 in West Hartford, daughter of the late Henry and Constance Hirst Parent. After graduating from Ellsworth Memorial High School in South Windsor in 1946, Laurie attended Alabama College for Women in Birmingham, Alabama (now University of Montevallo) graduating in 1950 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Work and Sociology. While in college, Laurie served her country in the U.S. Navy WAVES ("Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service") at Birmingham Naval Air Station. Following graduation from college, she worked as a social worker for the Connecticut State Welfare Department in Hartford, and as a probation officer for the State of Connecticut Juvenile Court in Danbury. During that time, Laurie settled in Danbury, and in 1954, married Louis J. Burns, pharmacist and owner of Burns Drug and Surgical, Inc. and together they raised thre children. In 1965, Laurie began her career as a professional educator working for the U.S. Head Start Program and was assigned to the Danbury Public School System. She returned to school to advance her own education and in 1968 completed studies for a Masters of Science in Education from Western Connecticut State College (now University) graduating with honors. Laurie became a kindergarten teacher and taught at Roberts Avenue School and South Street School in Danbury from 1968 until her retirement in 1995. She was proud of her schools, her fellow educators, and the thousands of children whose lives she had the privilege to shape. Laurie's contributions to teaching included serving on the Danbury Kindergarten Curriculum Committee, on Connecticut's Early Childhood Education Conference Committee, as National Education Week Chairman for South Street School, as Parent-Teacher Organization Liaison, and as a Mentor. She was an active member of the Kindergarten Association of Connecticut and the National Association of Young Children. She was recognized with a listing in Who's Who in American Education and was a Union Carbide Teacher of the Year Recipient. Laurie's community involvement including volunteering with (at various times) the Red Cross, the National Association for the Prevention of Blindness, Junior Service League (Former President), Family and Children Services, Danbury YMCA (Former Board Member), Auxiliary Visiting Nurse Association, American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Stanley Lasker Richter Memorial Park Authority (Former Board Member), and Musicals at Richter (Former Director and served hands-on in capacities including wardrobe, concessions and house manager). Most recently, in retirement Laurie worked as a volunteer to help launch Americares Free Clinic in Danbury. Following the death of her husband, Louis in 1983, Laurie moved to Bethel, where she resided for 18 years until moving with her daughter's family to Bridgewater, CT in 2008. Laurie is survived by her son, Christopher "Scott" Burns and his wife, Lourdes of Alexandria Virginia; daughter, Lisa Burns and her husband, Richard Monda of Bridgewater; and son, Louis "Adam" Burns and his wife, Rocchina of Southbury, whose children, Adam and Andrew Burns called her "Dee Dee' and meant the world to her. In addition to nephew, Brad Brown of Clifton Park, N.Y., who was like a son to her, Laurie is also survived by three siblings, Victoria Allen and her husband, Tucker of Warehouse Point, Marget Henderson and her husband, Jack of Columbus, Ohio, and Nina Burr of San Rafael, Calif.; and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Louis, she was predeceased by three siblings, Leonard Parent, Ann Merritt, and Leslie Andross. She continued to hold their families dear. Laurie had a talent for painting and drawing and loved reading, theater and the arts. She loved to eat out and to travel with friends and had a passion for golf. She will be remembered by her family and many, many friends as a loving and dedicated parent and grandparent, advocate for children and for those in need, community volunteer, supporter of the arts, and a role model. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Brookfield Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Americares Free Clinics, 88 Hamilton Ave., Stamford, CT 06902.