Barbara Jean Burns

You left us far too soon. I think of you often and I miss our wonderful conversations.

This message comes fairly late, but I just learned of Barbara's passing. I met Barbara in her later years as she was winding down her career at Duke and as a reknowned scholar, educator and researcher. She opened her beautiful lake home to me and my husband one summer while she was in NH because we were building a house that took far longer to build than anticipated. Our friendship developed out of a business relationship over a few years time, but unexpectedly dissolved due to a misunderstanding, I believe. I now have a clearer idea why, but I found the loss of her friendship very painful at the time. I truly loved her joie de vivre. My deepest condolences to her famiy and all who loved her. She left the world a better place. May she RIP.

I don't know why, she was almost always Barbara Jean to me. I met her as a college freshman as she offered me well paid work on the Farm at Thistle Hill. Many years later, having not only given me valuable life lessons in the management of said farm, she and Lizanne gave me the life lessons that have guided me forward throughout my life since that first meeting. I felt always that she was as proud of my acomplishments as they happened (my associates degree and further education would never have happened without every kind of Support she could offer) as anyone in my life. An amazing woman who could make me feel at home in her home. Treated me as family, my use of that LeBaron as if it was my own, so many little things that were just who Barbara Jean always was, to all of us. A great loss, not soon forgotten.

It was wonderful to see so many people at the service to honor Barbara yesterday. Carol Woods recorded the event and it is available at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/AdRmQG4vkG0?si=ccPqIZ7L6zvKpxPu

If you would like to have a copy of the program, email Linda ([email protected]) and I will be happy to mail one to you.

I never met a Barbara Burns I didn´t like. Whether she was being an epidemiologist or photographer, whether she was selecting food for her meal or a new book she was reading, she was both serious and humorous simultaneously. I am truly saddened by her death (and I truly didn´t realize it was coming so soon) but am glad she didn´t suffer a long slow decline. Barbara had memory problems but still could be wickedly funny and warm and friendly. Although we were all at her 80th party, the really special one to me was her 82nd. She had her two sisters and a best friend from early in life. And she had Linda Maultsby by her side. Barbara was wonderful to Linda for many years, and Linda M gave back to her in spades. And Barbara loved Linda George and invited her as well. How was I so fortunate to be invited ? My relationship had been cordial, we had eaten meals together, but once she was at Carol Woods and had to adapt to a series of major changes in her life, we became close. Sunday was Let's visit Barbara day. She called me "Linda´s buddy: but that was fine. It gave me a chance to learn more about Barbara and Mac and her world. The photographs were magnificent. I will forever be grateful to have known her, and I miss her more than I ever thought I would.

Debby Gold

Barbara was a colleague and mentor at Duke for so many of us. I can´t remember sending her any paper or proposal that she neglected to edit and make better. So many faculty and trainees benefited enormously from her mentoring. Literally generations were the beneficiaries of her wisdom. More important she was a great friend and fierce advocate for so many of us. We will miss her. With gratitude. Marvin Swartz

Conversing with Barbara was like peeling the layers of an onion. She had so many wonderful experiences and such knowledge! I never failed to learn something new from her or about her. Barbara was a very generous person. She supported many causes and was a faithful contributor to Volunteers for Youth. VFY is a mentoring organization for teenagers in Orange County. Their mission aligned with hers and her support is continuing to benefit young people in this area. We will miss you and love you dearly .

In addition to being a remarkably distinguished expert in her field, Barbara Jean was a kind, thoughtful, and generous relative. Kathy, my wife, and I will always be grateful to her for sharing her home and kindness with us on several occasions during my wife's treatment at Duke University Hospital. That was her nature to care for others! Likewise, she treasured the company of my parents, always delighting in being with them. My parents loved Barbara Jean, and were happy to share memories and time with her. Thank you Barbara Jean for being who you were!

New Mexico

Here is a photo of when Barbara Jean was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and another photo when we connected at the Junior Year Abroad reunion in New Mexico. ~ Carolyn Shadle

I first met BJ in 1965 when I joined the staff at SUNY Cortland. I last visited her at Carol Woods when we celebrated her 82nd birthday. For almost 60 years, we shared life experiences and a friendship that was a precious gift. She was with me in Ireland when I met my husband and she was my maid of honor when we were married at her home in Winchester. She shared her homes, her family and her passion for her work. We traveled, skied, hiked and picnicked beside her lakes. She was an exceptional woman. I extend my sympathy in your loss to her friends, colleagues and to her family. A special thank you to Maxine and Jennie for sharing your sister.

I first met BJ in 1965 when I joined the staff at SUNY Cortland. I last visited with her at Carol Woods when we celebrated her 82nd birthday. For almost 60 years, we shared life experiences and a friendship that was a precious gift. She was with me in Ireland when I met my husband and she was my maid of honor when we were married at her home in Winchester. She shared her homes, her family and her passion for her work. We traveled, skied, hiked and picnicked beside her lakes. She was an exceptional woman. I extend my sympathy in your loss to her friends, colleagues and to her family. A special thank you to Maxine and Jennie for sharing your sister.

BJ was a bridesmaid in my wedding in 1966. That was a result of many years of friendship, beginning in the River Road Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. There we spent time together memorizing Bible verses for a contest. (Can you believe it?) Later, she followed me in the Junior Year Abroad Program. In 2008 we reconnected at the JYA Reunion in New Mexico. Our final connection was in NC just a few years before he died. I feel as though I´ve lost part of my life. What a wonderful friend - and accomplished woman!

My journey with Dr. Burns started at Duke in 1993. At work or play, what an honor and privilege it was to know her and spend all these years with her. She was much more to me and my family than words can ever say and we loved our Barbara so dearly. I´m uploading some pictures we collected at her 80th birthday -- from DC to Kentucky to Lebanon to New York to Boston to Maryland to Durham to Chapel Hill.

Barbara was not only unique, but very special too. She was a photographer, activist, swimmer, researcher and teacher. She loved to have fun and brought great joy to so many of us. I will miss you Barbara. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with me . Jean Mclendon

Barbara was long an iconic researcher when i was fortunate to snag a lunch date with her at Duke shortly after i landed in NC in 2007. What a generous soul!

I´m so sorry to hear of Barbara´s passing. Rohn and I have many happy memories from the time we spent at Thistle Hill with Barbara. I will never forget seeing her all dressed up for work straddling a sheep while giving it a shot. We will carry her in our heart. Rohn and Mary LeGore

Barbara was a very good friend and colleague at NIMH. She made many contributions to behavioral health care of children and Adolescents. We will miss her.

I was a newbie working at Brightleaf Square back in 2014. I was sitting in my office and two little adorable doggies came bounding into my office to great me. They were so welcoming and happy for me to give them attention. I then set out to find out who they belonged to and ended up having one of the best conversation ever, when I met Barbara. From that day on, the pups would seek me out and I would seek Barbara out to talk about photography, politics, current events, research, family, and life. She made me feel so welcomed and safe. I will always cherish those times. What a special way to work in an office. I miss those days. Sending peace and love.

Packing up Barbara´s Lake house - New Hampshire May 2020

Although I did not know Barbara for very long, we hit it off because we were both clinicians and she worked in Boston for many years. Soon after she allowed me to walk her beloved Mackenzie because her doctor did not want
Barbara to walk long distances. She did anyway. Our relationship became more personal as we put away her summer clothes and took out her winter clothes. We both loved clothes and had to decide what to keep and what to put away. If you knew Barbara you can imagine the exchanges we had that day. It was an honor to know her. May she rest in peace.

These photos are from Barbara´s lake house in New Hampshire. We had quite a time getting this house ready to sell! Barbara´s community of friends were so lovely and even took us out on a boat to spot bald eagles around the lake.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.