Bathurst – It is with profound sadness that the family of Mrs. Shirley Margaret Burns announces her passing on Friday, November 30th, 2018, at the Chaleur Regional Hospital with her loving family by her side.
Shirley was born in Barnaby River, NB and was the daughter of the late John Edward Bohan and Theresa Catherine (Grennan) Bohan.
She graduated from St. Mary’s (Convent) Academy in Newcastle in 1956. She then furthered her studies at the New Brunswick Teacher’s College in Fredericton graduating in 1957. Her teaching career included schools in Barnaby River, Canadian Forces Base - Chatham, Montreal Que., Schefferville Que., and Bathurst.
In 1968 she married Raymond Burns (from Newcastle, NB), and they settled in Bathurst to commence their working lives. After having four children, and at the age of 42, she decided to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse, and graduated from the Bathurst School of Nursing in 1981.
A lover of life, Shirley lived every moment to the fullest. She was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage and instilled this sense of pride in her four children and eight grandchildren of which she was intensely proud. For the past 20 years, she spent every summer, with her beloved family, at Beresford Beach making merry by the fire, dancing an Irish jig to whatever song was being sung by family and friends.
A selfless sibling, Shirley was the first to respond in a crisis; a leader, and beacon of support when someone was in need. As a loving mother and grandmother, Shirley taught her family the value of a dollar and hard work; the importance of being organized and planning ahead; the meaning of family and doing the right thing. Helping others was at the core of who she was in her family and professional life as a wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sibling, teacher, nurse, and friend.
Besides her husband of 50 years, she is survived by her sons: Greg (Andrea Anderson), Chris (Colleen Comeau), Andrew (Alison Gray), and daughter, Jocelyn (John McCue). Grandchildren: Amanda (David Crossman), Kaitlyn, Catherine, Emma, Elizabeth, and Emily Burns, as well as William and Kathleen McCue.
She is also survived by her seven sisters: Mary Ronan (late Raymond), Doreen O’Shea (late James), Mona Waye (late Arthur), Ruby Hutchison (Harry) all of Miramichi, Joyce Gill (late Kevin) of Barnaby River, Brenda Bohan of Fredericton, and Lois Sherwood (John) of Norton; and one brother, Blair Bohan of Barnaby River; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, cousins, and many cherished friends. She is also survived by brother-in-law Reginald Daley, Gerald Burns (late Mary), and sister-in-law Barbara Robertson (Bill).
Shirley is predeceased by one sister, Eleanor Daley and a brother, John Bohan Jr., sisters-in-laws: Noreen O’Shea (Neil), Reta Burns, Eleanor Stinson (Bill); brother-in-law Leonard(Buddy)Burns(Rita), and brother-in-law Robert Burns (Beatrice).
Despite the obvious void created by her passing, her family will forever be grateful for having known and loved her. The values she instilled; her caring, generous personality; and her devotion to family are part of the legacy that will live on in their hearts.
The family is indebted to the nursing staff and physicians at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, specifically to Dr. Marc André Doucet and Dr. Terry Comeau at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
At Shirley’s request, there will be no visitation at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday December 4, 2018 at 1pm from Holy Family Church, Bathurst.
Donations may be made to the Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation, the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst.
