Mary Alice Burns

Mary Alice Burns, 97, of New Bethlehem, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2014. Born September 27, 1916, in Sligo, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Edith Summerville Myers. She graduated from Sligo High School in 1934, attended the University of Pittsburgh and held a life, health and casualty insurance license. She was married in 1938 to Henry Gilbert Burns, who preceded her in death on January 16, 1996. Mary Alice was a devout Christian and a member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed reading, caring for her cats, bird watching, in addition, to being very musically talented. She was a member of the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school classes and served on numerous committees. Mary Alice was active in community affairs. She served as Judge of Election for Porter Township for many years and held the position of Republican Chairperson for Porter Township. She was awarded the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow. In addition, Clarion University bestowed the Eberly Medal for Philanthropy for Excellence in Education upon establishing the Henry G. Burns School of Finance & Insurance. She was also one of the lead donors of the Clarion Hospital Cancer Center. Mary Alice is survived by her son, H. Eugene Burns and his wife, Sue, of Shippenville; and daughters, Kathryn Confer and her husband, Richard, of Murrysville, and Pamela Grisnik and her husband, Paul, of Grove City. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Keith Burns Jr. of Quakertown, David Eric Burns of Bangor, Scott E. Burns of Clarion, Elise Pasles of Wayne, Matt Confer of Shippenville, Kathryn Di Pasquale of Mars, Mary Kaup of Grove City; ten great grandchildren, David, Jennifer, and Kim Burns, Alexis and Carina Burns, Anthony, Mark, and Sam Pasles, Emily Confer, and Jackson Kaup; and a sister, Phyllis Corbin-Blose of Kittanning. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her son, Keith Burns, a daughter, Mary Ann Burns, and a brother, Dick H. Myers. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, 638 Wood Street, Clarion. Eastern Star service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2014, in the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014, in the funeral home with Pastor John W. Monger, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Rimersburg, officiating. Interment will be held in the Churchville Cemetery in Curllsville. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Clarion University Foundation, c/o Henry G. Burns School of Finance & Insurance, Seifert-Mooney Center for Advancement, Clarion University, 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, 638 Wood Street, Clarion. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014, in the funeral home with Pastor John W. Monger, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Rimersburg, officiating.

Mary Alice Burns

September 27, 1916 - January 11, 2014