Maureen Burns, wife of NWA Capt. Bob Burns

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Maureen Burns, wife of NWA Capt. Bob Burns

April 3, 1937 ~  May 10, 2025

 

Maureen Burns, loving mother and wife, devout Catholic with a radiant soul, died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones………………Maureen is survived by her husband Captain Robert “Bob” Napoleon Burns, and by her children and their families. 

For those who may wish to send condolences, I see the family’s address listed in whitepages as

5080 Meadville St., Excelsior MN 55331.

PCN memorial site

 

To view the obituary and share memories online please visit

https://www.gillbrothers.com/obituaries/Maureen-Helen-Burns?obId=42505181

Maureen Helen Barrett Burns

Maureen Burns, loving mother and wife, devout Catholic with a radiant soul, died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. Maureen lived a life that touched many with her unwavering devotion to faith, family, and friends. She was 88 years old.

 

Born in Evanston IL, the only daughter of John and Catherine Neenan Barrett. She attended Marywood High School in Evanston before graduating from Barry College in Miami, Florida. Her life was forever changed when she met her beloved husband, Robert Burns, on a blind date. They were married on September 10, 1960, and shared a remarkable 65-year relationship. They eventually settled on Lake Minnetonka near Excelsior where they raised 4 children and entertained 5 grandchildren.

 

Maureen’s devotion to the Catholic Church was central to her life as a confident and faithful member at St. Therese in Deephaven and St. John the Baptist in Excelsior. She served in numerous roles including fundraising for St. John's Gathering Place building project and construction of Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria, and founder of the BeFriender Ministry at St. John’s, a pastoral care mission providing trained, compassionate listeners to those navigating aging, illness, and grief. Maureen’s faith gave her confidence to Chair the Twin Cities Annual Catholic Appeal and St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary.

 

Throughout her life, Maureen had a passion for travel and adventure. Professionally, Maureen found joy from her three decades of work in the travel industry and led tour groups to see the world. She enjoyed countless travel adventures—often with Bob by her side— which took her through the Panama Canal, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and across Europe. These journeys created lifelong friendships, treasured memories, and ultimately compelled her to join the International Federation of Women in Tourism.

 

At home, Maureen enjoyed swimming, sailing, painting, knitting, and social gatherings. Family and friends held a high priority for Maureen. She cherished Sunday night dinners, sunsets from the deck, and most of all, reunions with family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Robert Burns; children, Sheila Zats (Terry), Kevin Burns (Ada), Patricia Burns, and Kathleen Daniels (David); grandchildren, Jorge Burns, Kaily Burns, Melissa Burns, Lucia Zats and Shawna Zats; her brother, Bill Barrett (Kathleen), cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Catherine Barrett, and brothers, Patrick Barrett and James Barrett.

 

A celebration of life will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church in Deephaven on Tuesday, May 20th. Visitation 11:30-12:30. Mass at 12:30 with lunch to follow. Mass will be live streamed on St. Therese website. (https://www.st-therese.org/live) Burial at 3:00pm at Resurrection Cemetery in Shorewood. Memorials to MN Landscape Arboretum, Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank her caregivers; Aimee, Catey, neighbors, friends, and Ridgeview HealthCare for the wonderful care they gave Maureen.

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