Grace M. Burns

Grace M. (Lester) Burns of Rockford passed away Wednesday January 20, 2010 in her home. She was born August 2, 1917 in Rockford, the daughter of Jerome C. and Cecilia A. (Renihan) Lester. She married Robert M. Burns in St Patrick Church on May 7, 1938. She worked for Tan Books Publishing, Stepping Stones and Western Union. Grace also did a lot of work for the sight impaired, including reading to them on WNIU. Member of St Peter Cathedral and wrote the lyrics to the Muldoon High School Song. She graduated from Muldoon in 1934 and Rockford Business College.

Survivors include her children Patrick (Nora) Burns of Dallas, TX, Michael (Sally) Burns of San Francisco, CA, Joseph (Polly) Burns of Cape Cod, MA, Tim Burns of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Robert (Kay) Burns of Dallas, TX, Tom (Regina) Burns of Dallas, TX, Mary (Charles) Stiles of Rockford, Chris (Sam) Stanfa of Rockford, John (Diane) Burns of Rockford, Rosanne (Jim) Meaney of Houston, TX , Rick (Debra) Burns of Rockford and Daughter-in-law Mary Burns of Dallas, TX. 20 Grandchildren and 5 great Grandchildren. Brother; Frank (Helen) Lester of Rockford. Numerous nieces and nephews. Godchild; Linda Noegel. Predeceased by her parents, husband Robert, son; Jimmy and three brothers; John, Jerome and Joseph Barry Lester. Sister; Gertrude Roland.

Mass of Resurrection at 10am Saturday January 23, 2010 in St. James Catholic Church Rockford, with Father Dean Russell, Pastor of St James officiating. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation at Fitzgerald Funeral Home 3910 N. Rockton Ave from 4pm until 7pm Friday with rosary to be recited at 7pm. Visitation also in the church from 9am until 9:45 on Saturday. In lieu of flowers memorials OSF Hospice and Poore Clares. Send online condolences to www.fitgeraldfh.com