Do you know Anne Burns??
Which Anne Burns do you know, the mother? Grandmother? Sister? Aunt? Cousin? Friend? Caretaker? Advocate? Teacher? Student? Trailblazer? Minister? Was she the crazy lady holding up traffic in the middle of Quincy St? Or was she the listener? The voice on the other end of the phone at 3am? The fighter that always had your back? The company at the hospital? Or the person holding your hand after receiving bad news? The hug when you felt like it was just you all alone in your struggle?? Anne was something to everyone she encountered. She was a very faithful person, that was always lead by faith. And left no one behind, she always reached back in never left a soul behind. Life handed her lemons and she made the most refreshing, thirst-quenching lemonade.
She was a mother to the motherless, her Ministry was the healer to the “bruised grapes” Her Ministry catered towards the needy, especially those living with HIV/AIDS. She was a big part in the Mother’s Day May Precession and the Mother’s Day march against violence. She was heavily involved in Woman’s Day and the Dorchester International Woman’s Committee. She was the “Diva of Dorchester”. She was the queen of slogans, while raising money to install a bathroom at the drop in Center, she and her friends came up with “give a shit so they can”!
She came from very humble beginnings, she was a white woman, but without the white privilege, she didn’t judge anyone, she opened her heart, house, pocket and anything she had to help others, she did this without prejudice.
She’s been all over the world, Africa, Rome, Canada, the islands and even met Mother Theresa. She gave the women in the AIDS Ministry anonymity at a time when living with AIDS could get you killed if anyone knew, she had a drop-in center that had a pantry, that not only provided food, but also provided an ear to listen, a hug, a prayer, an advocate going to the hospital to stand up to the doctors that took advantage of the people of the community, it provided help with bills to going home services and whatever need would come up, Anne found a solution.
She was a neighborhood hero, “Who’s that loud mouth woman from Dorchester? The response is “she’s all of us!” She would minister to the ladies-of-the-evening in her favorite wheelchair. She walked with the dying, literally, she would pray with them and hold them in her loving arms till they took their last breath and anyone left behind was now adopted and never forgotten. She made sure every child felt special for every holiday, with the loving generous donations from our sister parishes in Concord, Lexington and Cambridge. They provided the kids with Easter outfits, Christmas presents and food for every occasion … everyone always looked so beautiful and happy. I remember praying with our fellow parishes at 26 Lawrence Ave. it was a tradition my mother always did. Jesus said feed the hungry, clothe the naked and bring enlightenment to the prisoners.
She lived the life that Christ prescribed, whether you were blood or not you where family, so I have over 200 cousins. According to Anne, the world was her family, even when the world wasn’t always so nice to her, she had a forgiving heart and would always say “WWJD”, What Would Jesus DO? Offer it up!!
She had a great heart and the brain to match and she will be dearly missed. Just know she is not in any physical pain anymore. She loved everyone she came in contact with. Even when an ambulance went by, she would say a prayer for whoever it was heading to or carrying. Mommy, we love you and we miss you Mommy. Your legacy lives on.
In her words Friends and Family “ Know that you’re Loved”… or her other favorite, “LOVE YA HUN!!”
Anne Marie Burns (Devlin)
Sunrise: 6-13-1957 | Sunset: 4-28-2019
CLICK to READ article on The Diva of Dorchester in the Boston Globe
CLICK to watch the BEST testimonial to Anne Burns’ legacy
She leaves behind to celebrate her life:
Sibling: Brother, Robert Devlin
Children: Son, Erik Burns and daughter, Catherine Burns
Grandchildren: Simone Burns, Erik Burns Jr., Kateri Burns, Erika Burns, Jahkoby Gerald and Bella Burns
Also a host of other family & friends and friends-turned-family.
Services will be held: Saturday, May 11, 2019 beginning at 10AM at St. Katharine Drexel Parish
517 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02121
Wake/Viewing: 10AM
Funeral services to immediately follow the Wake
Repass in the lower chapel following the funeral
Please join Anne’s family after the funeral in the lower chapel for the Repass. We’ll be coming together for food and to share memories of our beloved Anne Burns.
Email questions to: Redhead617@gmail.com
