Mary Theodosia Burns

Thank you for your gift you gave me and other girls in 1991.0 Rest in peace Sister Burns.

Dear Sean and family members of Mary,

On behalf of the Associated Alumnae & Alumni of the Sacred Heart (AASH) I send heartfelt condolences on Mary's passsing.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mary for the first time in 2004 at Grand Coteau when an AASH Regional meeting was being hosted there. Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart (for boys) was but a dream and how befitting to learn that Mary was called to be with God on the anniversary of Mary Wilson's miracle.

May Mary rest in peace.

In the heart,

Maureen E. Ryan
AASH President 2011-2013

Dear Shawn and Family,

I learned of your great loss only after the Christmas holidays. I remember Mary well, having worked with her during her time as headmistress of Sacred Heart in Montreal. Please accept my sincere sympathy.

Sr. Burns was my first headmistress at Duchesne in Houston and it was her kindness and warmth that welcomed me immediately. Her gentle nature and spirit will always be remembered. My prayers are with you and your family.

Dear Sean,
We were away at the time and only just heard the sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mary will be missed by all who knew her here in Montreal.
Mike, Stefanie and Tanya Castelino

I wish all who knew Mrs. Burns peace and tranquility during this difficult time -- may her spirit continue to live on in all of us, especially during the Holidays -- Mrs. Burns, whom I knew personally, was a light in the dark, and may this candle symbolize the warmth she brought to all of us. She will be missed.
R.I.P Mary,
Alys McDonough (daughter of Brian and Hortense McDonough)

Dear Sean and family,

Thinking of all of you at this time. It's been a great many years, but gratitude keeps fond memories alive.

Warmest regards,

Joe Cassidy, with Gillian, Benedict, Marianne and Emmeline
St Chad's College
Durham UK

Please note that the prayer service and the anniversary and commemoration of the miracle of St. John Berchmans in the Shrine was Wednesday night, instead of Thursday night

Dear Sean and Family,

After having taught elsewhere for several years, I have just begun tutoring at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, LA again this year. After a tutoring session Thursday night, the Head of the Boarding School invited me to attend a special prayer time for the girls in the Shrine, in order to commemorate and honor the anniversary of the miracle of St. John Berchmans that day. Just after entering the Shrine, the Head of the Boarding School announced a special prayer intention for Mary Burns.

This was the first time that I had even heard that Mary was ill. And, to quote Ms. Burns (and I know that she would laugh at this), “I was struck” by that news, and I prayed for a miracle for her. The next evening, just after another tutoring session, I learned that she had passed away on Thursday night, perhaps while we were gathered for prayer in the St. John Berchmans Shrine.

After many tears, I realized that because of her devotion to God and Christ, to the Schools of the Sacred Heart, and to
St. John Berchmans ,as well as the founding of the St. John Berchmans School, maybe that was her miracle.
I truly, dearly loved her as a person, a mentor, and as a Christian. Mary lived her faith. She made such a difference in so many people's lives, and she will be missed by each and every one of us. You and your family have my deepest sympathy.

Sincerely,
Emma Fogle-Borel

Mary was my headmistress at Duchesne Academy in Houston, in the late seventies. I will always remember her for her kindness and compassion and for her radiant smile. She was a true Sacred Heart Educator,and she will be sorely missed by many.
With my deepest sympathy to her family,
Audrey Nelson

Dear Sean,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Mary sat next to me in Study Hall when we were students at Sacred heart in Grand Coteau.
She absolutely had a radiant kindness about her to which everyone responded. Much later, after Hurricane Katrina, I called her and she tried to help me find a school here in New York City for my granddaughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family .
Margaret Guillory Evangeline Coteau Class of 61

Family Members, please accept my condolances. My memories of Mary, Patty & Ted were through their father. Mr. Pat always shared his
love and family happenings with my family. Please accept my love and prayers.
Gloria "LeLeux" Girouard
New Iberia, LA

She was my headmistress at the sacred heart school of Montreal. That picture is perfect! I remember her always always smiling. My condolences to the family. A great loss. Thanks for being a great headmistress and sorry I didn't know how amazingly knowledgable you were and able to take advantage of it. I was just talking about her the other day. Really sad.

My condolences for your loss. My mother (Susie Pharr) was very fond of Mary and spoke so highly of her. We are keeping her in our prayers. Tiger Pharr

Ms.Burns was my headmistress in the year 1995 at the Sacred Heart School of Montreal. I remember her as a warm and kind person; extremely patient and very dedicated to her work. I can only imagine her endless devotion to her family, and how they will miss her . My deepest condolences.

Uncle Sean,
We are deeply saddened by your loss of Mary. That you and Mary have made each other very happy has been obvious each time we have met you together. We hope that the joy and love you have shared in your married life will sustain you and give you the strength you need now. May Mary, who has made such a great contribution in life, rest in peace She will never really be "forgotten or gone". Sinc and Kelly McEvenue

Mr. Sean and family,

Please accept our deepest sympathy for the passing of Ms. Mary. Raymond and I always enjoyed the conversations with you and Ms. Mary as you took your daily walks in the neighborhood. May Ms. Mary rest in peace. Her memories will forever be dear to our hearts. God Bless,

Raymond and Katherine Freeman
Lafayette, Louisiana

Dear Sean,
We want to express our great sadness upon hearing of Mary's death.

We'll always remember singing together in our "little choir" at St. Elizabeth Seton.

We cherished her wonderful friendliness and sense of humor. We also appreciate the many talents she had and which she used to enrich the lives of so many.
Mary and you complemented each other in so many ways, and brought joy where ever you were. For these and many other reasons, she will be greatly missed.
And you Sean, are in our hearts and in our prayers. We hope to see you in the near future.

With love and prayers,

I knew her as Sister Mary Burns. She taught at Sacred Heart Academy which I attended from 1968-1972. She was a wonderful academic and a person full of spirit and life. She inspired me deeply. I'm sorry to hear of her passing and my condolences to her family for their loss.
Valencia Scott Colombo
Venice, Italy (former New Orleans resident)

"One short sleep past, we wake eternally, and Death shall be no more. Death, thou shalt die." (John Donne)

My condolences to Mary's family. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Sarah Oates Shults
DASH, Class of 1980

Uncle Sean
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for bringing Mary into our lives. Our hope is that her peace will be a comfort to you.

Uncle Sean, you have always been so dear in all our hearts for as long as I can remember. The patience and joy you brought to our home lingered long after you left. Mary was the perfect complement to your big heart, thirst for knowledge, compassion and an unrelenting devotion to family and its precious unity. She is in the most wonderful company now. Mom , Dad, Tony, Celeste, George, Kevin F. and Mary C.. Until we see them again, God Bless

Our lives were enriched by having known Mary. We will miss her but we are grateful for having known her. Our condolences to Sean, Patout, Robin and the rest of the family.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Sean,Ted and family
We were saddened to learn of Mary's passing. Although we only knew her a short time, we found her to be a remarkable, caring person. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May she rest in peace. God Bless all of you. Love

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know Mary is now at peace. I am sorry that we won't be able to attend the funeral, but we will all be there in spirit.

Dear Sean
Deeply saddened to see Mary's obituary in today's Montreal Gazette.Mary was dedicated educator and a true disciple.
Will remember her in my Eucharist this weekend.
Monsignor Sean Harty

To the family and friends of Mary Burns.
Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your loved one. May God comfort you during this time of mourning. (Psalms 46:1)

My condolences are with the family during this time of loss. Mary knew my aunt as she was an RSCJ. Although I didn't meet Mary personally, we kept in touch often via email. I will keep y'all in thoughts as y'all celebrate her life.

-Dru Torian-

Mr Sean and family, I am sorry for your loss. I loved seeing and visiting with Ms Mary and yourself when you came into the office. She was sweet and a kind soul. Prayers being offered for her and you all as well. Tammie (internal medicine office)