Obituary of Joan M. Burns

Joan (Kassebaum) Burns, 95, of Medford NY, died peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2023. She was predeceased by her devoted husband of over 50 years, Robert Burns, her beloved parents Margaret and Raymond Kassebaum, and her brother Raymond Kassebaum. Joan is survived by her in-laws, Irene Kassebaum, Nancy and Henry Sampers, three loving children, Robert and his spouse Patricia Byrne, Eileen Collins, and Kevin and his spouse LeAnn; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. 

Born and raised in Ozone Park, New York, Joan went to school at St. Sylvester’s where she met her future husband, Robert, at the age of 11. She landed her first job on Wall St. as a typist during the War and celebrated V-E Day with her first drink in Manhattan when her boss took the entire office out. Bobby Burns or “the boy on the curb” as he became known to the Kassebaums, married Joan on October 8, 1949. Joan and Bob moved to Franklin Square in 1954 to raise their three loving children. Years later, in 1970, she would return to work for the National Weather Service as an administrative secretary out of Garden City and eventually the Navy until her retirement in 1992. 

Joan spent many cherished years vacationing in Florida and traveling with her husband and family, even after Bob’s passing in 2005. Her love of people drove her to join many different groups, clubs, and organizations over the years, where she touched the hearts of many of her dynamic friends. From the Christian Mothers to the Young Mothers at Lakeside to the Red Hat Ladies and many groups in between, Joan’s voice could always be heard giving pragmatic advice and making her opinion known. 

Joan Burns was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and a woman of deep faith who loved a party. She was spunky, tough as nails, and had an admirable zest for life which was self-evident from her will to live independently at the age of 95. She was always first on the dance floor, would find any excuse to go shopping, and enjoyed many activities with her dear friends at Blue Ridge Condominiums. Joan strove to teach her family self-discipline with lessons about doing everything in moderation and not overcomplicating your life. Most of all, she gave enormous love to all in her family. Her thoughtfulness was unmatched as she never missed a birthday or holiday card and showered each new baby with joy as her family grew. She was a cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews. The family was the most important part of her long life; they will all deeply miss her laugh and the sparkle in her eyes. 

Visitation will be at McManus-Lorey Funeral Home in Medford, NY Wednesday, March 15, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Sylvester’s Roman Catholic Church, 68 Ohio Ave in Medford, where she was a lifelong loyal parishioner at 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 16, 2023, with her final interment at Calverton National Cemetery in Wading River, NY.