Sister Alice Marie Burns - Rochester

Sister Alice Marie Burns, 97, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012.

Mary Margaret Burns was born Dec. 14, 1914, to John and Anna (Keely) Burns in Janesville. Mary Margaret graduated from the College of St. Teresa in 1936 with a B.A. in Social Science and Latin. She later received a degree in Library Science at Mankato State University (1938) and studied English at the University of Minnesota. Her rich 26 years of professional life, before entering the Sisters of St. Francis, included teaching in the high schools of Rollingstone, Kellogg and Slayton.

Mary Margaret entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1963 from St. Ann Parish in Janesville and received the name Sister Alice Marie. She made first vows in 1966 and final vows in 1969. After first vows she taught at Loretto High School in Caledonia (1966-1968) and then at Wehrle High School, Columbus, Ohio (1968-1973). From 1973 until her retirement in 1986 Sister Alice Marie worked at Saint Marys Hospital at the Information Desk, as Cashier in the Business Office and as patient visitor. During her retirement years, Sister Alice Marie continued to live at Saint Marys Hospital Convent serving as a patient visitor, a member of the Saint Marys Hospital Auxiliary and as part-time Librarian at St. John’s School in Rochester. She moved to Assisi Heights in 2002

Sister Alice Marie is survived by a sister-in-law; and several nieces and nephews; as well as her Franciscan Congregation with whom she shared life for 49 years.

Her parents preceded her in death as did her brother, Matthew J. Burns.

A Funeral Liturgy will be held Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, Assisi Heights in Rochester.

Friends may call at Assisi Heights for the Vigil Service at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, and before the time of the service on Tuesday. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Development, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW – Suite 100, Rochester, MN 55901.