Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Price Burns

May 2, 1936 – Calgary, Alberta    

January 25, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Mary Burns of Calgary, AB passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at the age of 86 years.

Mary was born at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary on May 2, 1936. She was the third daughter of Harold and Irene Price. She attended Earl Grey School from Grades 1 to 8, Havergal College in Toronto, ON for Grade 9, and then attended Central Memorial High School for 10 - 12. She then got an English degree from the University of Toronto, a degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music and finished with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta.  

Mary married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Peter Burns, on December 30, 1960 and went on to have five children: David Edward Price Burns; Lindsay Catherine Burns; Maura Claire Burns; John Thomas Burns and Christopher James Harold Burns. 

In addition to teaching over 200 students in Music Theory, History and Harmony, Mary volunteered for the Glenbow Museum, the Christ Church Altar Guild, Meals on Wheels, played for the Rideau School Orchestra and many other organizations over the years. She loved her hiking buddies and their adventures, her morning Aquacise group, her Friday lunches at the Danish Canadian Club and singing with the West Side singers to name but a few of her associations. Most of all she enjoyed her travels around the world with her soulmate of 58 years, Peter.  

Mary is survived by David and his children, Ami Kimura, Alexander Tomoaki and Anthony Hiroaki; Lindsay Burns, Grant Linneberg and their son Jasper Linneberg; Maura and Erin Shilliday and their son Henry Dov; John Thomas; and Christopher and Janet Sawatsky and their daughter Mhairi Ruth. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Irene, her sisters, Irene, Rosemary, and Jennifer. Peter predeceased Mary on March 18, 2020. 

She lived a full life that touched many people in a loving, and gentle manner. She goes now to be with her parents and her sisters again. 

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at Anglican Parish of Christ Church (3602 – 8th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow.  Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

The family would like to thank United Active Living’s Garrison Green and Home Instead for the care they provided for Mary through her last years.  

In living memory of Mary Burns, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.