Shirley Burns

Shirley Kamm Burns of Orange passed away peacefully on April 10th.  She was the wife of the late Lester Burns.  She was born in New Haven, daughter of the late Ida and Peter Kamm.

Shirley leaves her loving daughter Lisa Laemel (Michael) of Milford and her loving son Lester F Burns Jr. of Wallingford.

She was the grandmother of Briana Laemel of Germany, Ryan Laemel (Jinne) of Colorado, Austin Burns (US Navy), Tyler Burns of New York and Hunter Burns of Wallingford. She attended all events of her grandchildren from dance recitals to sporting events.  All of them brought her so much joy and love.  Family was everything to her.

Shirley also leaves her two sisters, Peggie (Michael, deceased) Bergantino of Northford and Frances (Gerald, deceased) Lynch of Manchester.  She also leaves her sister in law, Geraldine (Roger, deceased) Kamm of West Haven.

Shirley married her high school sweetheart, Lester Burns in 1959 with whom she shared a life of loving family, laughter, adventure, and travel.  They traveled from Maine to Florida, to Colorado and also Europe. In later years she traveled with her two sisters to Ireland and also a cruise.  They shared many memories, laughter and stories.

Shirley worked for the former First Federal Savings and Loan and Hamden Surgical.

She loved to shop and have luncheons with her cherished friends. One of her favorite road trips was going for ice cream, something she totally enjoyed.  Shirley was an avid reader, loved to cook, collect depression glass and loved antiquing.  Shirley loved spending time with family at Water’s Edge Resort and vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard.

Our mother defined what it was like to live with class and dignity.  We will be forever grateful for the values she has taught us and our children.

A special Thank You to all her doctors and healthcare workers from Yale New Haven Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Lord Chamberlain Rehabilitation Center who helped provide her compassionate care.  We are forever grateful.

Family and friends may visit the Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm St. West Haven on Monday April 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.  A Mass will be held at Holy Infant in Orange on Tuesday, April 19 at 11 am followed by burial at St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association. www.Lung.org

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