Sarah Burns

1929 - 2025

Sarah Burns

June 5, 1929 - May 17, 2025

Sarah J. Burns (née Musarra), a proud first-generation American, beloved matriarch, and lifelong South Jersey resident, passed away peacefully at the age of 94. She was born-allegedly-on June 18, 1930, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Cono Musarra and Rosaria Micale, who emigrated from Naso, Messina, Sicily in the early 1900s. Whether that birth year was precisely accurate was never fully confirmed, and Sarah, with her wry smile and signature shrug, let the mystery linger-as if to remind you it was none of your business.

Sarah was born, raised, and educated in Atlantic City, and embodied the passion, grit, and expressive spirit of her Sicilian heritage. Meticulous in habit and exacting in taste, she had a flair for the refined even amid modest surroundings-an unapologetic connoisseur of good style, good sweets, and good company. She was diminutive in stature, but her vivacity and sheer force of personality filled every room she entered.

In 1951, she married Harvey Thomas Burns, with whom she shared a long and devoted marriage until his passing in 2008. Though Harvey was famously reserved, Sarah's irrepressible warmth and wit often drew out his quiet smiles. Together they built a life rooted in commitment, candor, and abiding love.

Sarah was a devoted mother to three children, the late Susan Donnelly (wife of the late John "Sean" Donnelly), Mark Burns (husband of Maureen Burns, née Wimmer), and David Burns (husband of Susan Burns, née Crandall). A lifelong Atlantic City resident until relocating to Linwood's Brandall Estates in her later years, Sarah worked for many years as a saleswoman at Gordon's Alley, then at Faber's, and finally at Pete's Sunwear in Linwood. Her humor, candor, and charm-laced with just the right amount of drama-endeared her to coworkers and customers alike.

To those who knew her, Sarah was not just a devoted mother and grandmother, but a trusted confidante and co-conspirator, a woman who lived as she pleased and spoke exactly as she thought. She was sassy, expressive, blunt, and utterly unforgettable. Above all, she was deeply loyal to her family, and she delighted in their closeness. Her legacy includes her lifelong devotion to the three C's: coffee, chocolate, and cigarettes-a trifecta that, in her estimation, required no improvement.

She is survived by her sons, Mark and David, and by her seven grandchildren, each of whom she cherished, Kelli Donnelly-Gramlich (married to Nils Hagen), Kasey Stetser (née Donnelly, married to Ryan Stetser), Mark Burns, Jr. (married to Brittany Burns), Kristen Feriozzi (née Donnelly, married to Paul Feriozzi), Chelsea Burns, Kerri Gunnison (née Donnelly, married to Fred Gunnison), and Marli Burns.

She was also blessed with ten great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy, Lily Gramlich (daughter of Kelli Donnelly), Daniel and Casey Stetser (children of Kasey Stetser), Mark Burns III and Mia Burns (children of Mark Burns, Jr.), Fin Feriozzi and Luna Feriozzi (children of Kristen Feriozzi), Sean Kelly and Henrik Gunnison (sons of Kerri Gunnison), and Christopher Markey (son of Marli Burns).

She was predeceased by her husband, Harvey; her daughter, Susan; and her parents, Cono and Rosaria. Her absence leaves an immeasurable void, but her presence remains vivid in the countless stories, laughter, and love she leaves behind.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, May 23, at Adams-Perfect Funeral Homes, 1650 New Road, Northfield, New Jersey.

Those wishing to remember Sarah are encouraged to speak their minds, laugh loudly, and toast with a strong cup of coffee-just the way she liked it.

Adams-Perfect Funeral Home

1650 New Rd. Northfield, NJ 08225