Kay Burns

1937 - 2021

Kay Burns
September 16, 1937 - January 28, 2021
Tacoma , Washington - Mary Kathryn "Kay" Burns entered eternal life Thursday, January 28, 2021, at the age of 83. Her spirit is carried on by her three children, nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
She was born in 1937, an only child of Kitty and Bob Keeler, in Washington DC. She attended Blair High School and Towson State Teachers College where she earned her "MRS" degree, marrying Theodore (Ted) Burns. She was a committed, loving and devoted wife. This was the beginning of her career as a military wife, filled with great adventures, many life-long friendships and a love of setting up a new household (oh, how she could shop!).
She raised three children, Mary Muri (Dick) who resides in Steilacoom, WA, Kathy Gwinn (Marty) in East Wenatchee, WA and Mike Burns (Debbie) in Dallas, Texas. She was a dedicated and loving mother, spending many hours driving, watching and cheering for her three children. Her outgoing, energetic, social nature found her volunteering for the Red Cross, participating in Bridge Club, learning to ski, getting involved in the Officers Wives' Club and serving on many PTO committees. After 22 years of Air Force life, she and her husband moved from their home in Lakewood, WA to Boulder, CO, where she became "Grammy" to her first of nine grandchildren. They spent eight years on a second career, returning to Lakewood to be closer to her grandchildren and eventually twelve great grandchildren. She didn't sit still long, working as a medical receptionist, becoming an ardent gardener, taking up quilting and scrapbooking.
Her adventurous spirit continued by acquiring a camper taking them to many places in the Northwest, eventually becoming "rainbirds", heading to Tucson, AZ each winter. She continued interests in birdwatching, socializing and bike riding in the warmer climate.
Over time she became a full time caregiver to her husband of 64 years as he developed Alzheimer's Disease. Two years ago she and Ted moved to a senior living community, Patriots Landing, in Dupont, WA, where Ted resides in memory care.
All who knew her, were familiar with her quirky phrases, dubbed "momisms'. She's best known for her post grace singing of AAAAAAAmen.
She was preceded in death by her mother, "Kitty" and father, Bob. She is survived by her husband, Ted, and three children, Mary, Kathy and Mike and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held in July(TBD), gathering friends and family at the home of Mary and Dick Muri.
In memory of Kay's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or The Wounded Warrior Project.