Virginia Collins Burns

Formerly of the North Side and Baldwin and currently of Bethel Park, died peacefully on Saturday, June 24, 2023, with her children by her side.  

She was born December 16, 1933, in Pittsburgh, the daughter of William and Cecelia (Connelly) Collins.  

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Thomas who died on March 6, 1996. She is survived by her children: Margaret C. (Peggy) Burns (Louise M. Dufresne), William G. Burns and his spouse Linda (Pasquarelli) Burns, and Michael S. Burns and his spouse Darcie (Hunter) Burns; five grandchildren, Lisa (Corey) Keller, Jennifer (Cory) Nolte, Jeffrey (Erin) Burns, Matthew Burns, and Allison (Kody) Richards; and her great-grandchildren, which she referred to as her “babies,” Kenny, Reese, Mila, Ava, Olivia, and Eli.  She is the sister of Barbara Michener of Bethel Park and the late Margaret (Louis) McLinden.  She is the sister-in-law of Patricia (late John) Bogniak, and the late, Charles Burns, James Burns, Rev. John Burns, CSSp., Philip Burns, Agnes Maloney, Bernard Burns, Mary Burns, Regis Burns, Robert Burns, Catherine Burns, Sr. Therese Burns SC, and Sr. Mary Michael Burns SC.  She is also survived by and preceded in death by many loving cousins and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Virginia worked at Mellon Bank for many years, retiring as an Assistant Vice President in the Trust Department.  She was a member of the MVP’s (Mellon Volunteer Professionals), for many years.  She especially loved her time volunteering at Heinz Hall where she and the late Marvin Hamlisch were on a first-name basis, although he called her “Ginny,” a name she did not like.   

Virginia also established one of the first folk masses at Nativity Church in South Park in the 1970’s creating an environment that welcomed high school-age parishioners back to the church.        

The main focus of her life, however, was her family: the numerous holiday gatherings, beach vacations, the Women’s Weekend at Deep Creek, and Sunday dinners were her favorite. Events that her family will cherish forever.  

Family and friends welcome Tuesday, 4-8 PM and Wednesday, 8-9 AM, WILIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp., 15220 (412-563-2800) A Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, 10:00 AM in St. Thomas More Church, Resurrection Parish, followed by interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery. The church service will be livestreamed and can be accessed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/@ResurrectionPGH.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, at diabetes.org

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