Mary Elizabeth Smith Burns, age 101 of Hutchinson, Kansas, died October 20, 2021, at Mennonite Friendship Communities. Mary was born August 14, 1920, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of the late Henry E. and Minnie Smith. She was the fourth of eight children, and a lifelong resident of Hutchinson, Kansas.
She was a 1939 graduate of Hutchinson High School. Her father was the founder of Smith’s Market in Hutchinson. In the early years, Mary worked at Smith’s Market alongside her sisters Joye (Smith) Brinkmeyer, (Deceased), and Emadae (Smith) Wright, (Deceased).
Mary was the wife of the late LaVern Burns, whom she married on August 23, 1941.
As a homemaker, many of Mary’s passions revolved around her love of home and family. Her hobbies included a great love of decorating and refurbishing houses, tending her yard and flowers (especially her signature salmon-colored geraniums), cooking, entertaining, collecting antiques, and a love of fashion and jewelry. She was known for her love of family, friends and neighbors, and her great taste, style and flair. One of her greatest joys was cooking, baking, and entertaining, which she continued to do into her late 90’s.
Mary is survived by her sisters Ruby Jacques, South Hutchinson, Kansas, and Ruth Spivey, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband LaVern A. Burns, her parents, and four sisters and one brother: Joye Brinkmeyer, Emadae Wright, Oma Decker, June Burns, and Virgil Smith.
A graveside funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021, at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, Kansas. Arrangements by Elliott Mortuary, with a visitation /viewing from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 22, 2021, at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials may be made in honor of Mary E. Burns to Hospice of Reno County, Kansas, or the South Hutchinson Methodist Church.
Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.