Elizabeth “Elma” Burns, nee O’Connor, 84, of West Roxbury, MA, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025, in Norwood, MA, after a long illness.
Elizabeth was born on July 12, 1940, in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, to Martin and Mary O’Connor. After growing up in Strokestown, Elizabeth attended St. Vincent’s Nursing School in Dublin, Ireland. She emigrated to Boston in her early twenties where she began a fifty-year nursing career.
Elizabeth is survived by her daughters, Carolyn, of Lowell, MA, and Marybeth Thornton, her husband Charles, and their children, James (12), Connor (12), and Margaret “Maggie” (12) of Westwood, MA. She was the devoted sister of Carmel O’Connor of Clontarf, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and the late Eugene O’Connor of Australia. She is survived by his wife, Penna, and her sons Martin, James, Stephen, and Joseph also of Australia.
Elizabeth enjoyed reading, walking, and spending time with her grand dogs and her grandchildren, who were the light of her life.
In honor of Elizabeth’s wishes, there will be no funeral services. We invite you to please privately celebrate Elizabeth in your own way.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elizabeth can be made to the Family Autism Center at Lifeworks, Arc of South Norfolk (lifeworksarc.org).