Sister Patricia Burns, Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, who served at St. Francis de Sales School in Barrington, and Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, died Thursday, May 31, at the age of 78.
Born in County Down, Ireland, she was the oldest daughter of the late John and Catherine Burns.
Of her 62 years in religious life, Sister Patricia served 55 of them in various ministries within the United States. She taught at St. Francis de Sales School in Barrington, where she also became principal. For several years she taught biology at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill.
The remaining years were spent teaching microbiology at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J.
Over the years, Sister held positions of leadership in the community as Regional and Local Superior. She also held the position of vocation director and was instrumental in developing the Associates of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, a group of women who work closely with the Sisters in promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
She is survived by her siblings Bernadette Kelly (late Sean), Angela Roissetter (Ross), Sean Burns (Mary), Stella Slevin (Jimmy), Paddy Burns, Anne Burns (late Gerry), and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and the Sisters of her beloved community.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated last Monday night at St. Rita of Cascia Parish, Mary Mother of the Church, Bellmawr, and interment was in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sr. Patricia’s memory to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Dr., Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”