Mary Frances Burns, 97

Mary Frances was born in Butte on March 25, 1928, to Marguerite and Frank Moran, and she passed away on March 18, 2026, one week before she turned 98. She grew up on the West Side of Butte with seven sisters and one brother. St. Patrick's church was the center of their life and held them all together.

In 1948, Mary Frances married the love of her life, Bill Burns. They had been married for 70 years when Bill passed away. They were blessed with three children: John (Barb) Burns, Elaine (Bob) Henningsen, and Craig (Debbie) Burns. They made their home on Shields St. on the East Side of Butte. Their life centered around family and was built on enduring love, partnership, and a deep commitment to each other.

Mary Frances worked for a time at the Finlen Hotel at the front desk and as a telephone operator. However, her main focus in life was cooking wonderful meals for her family and being an amazing homemaker. Not only was she a mother to her three, but also to many of her nieces, nephews, and neighborhood kids who loved her like a mother. Mary was a caretaker at every stage of her life. She had the rare ability to make anyone she met feel accepted and special, and her door was always open.

She was beloved Grandma to John (Nicole) Burns, Greg (Annie) Burns, Bobby (Saba) Henningsen, Brian (Jessie) Henningsen, Travis (Erika) Henningsen, Trace Henningsen, Cody (Kacie) Burns, and Courtney (Joe) Martinich. She was blessed with great-grandchildren: Reesa & Kendyll Burns, Ellie, Andie, & Brady Burns, Elias & Mila Henningsen, Willa & Dottie Henningsen, Calvin Henningsen, Halle & Jayde Martinich, and Ben Bartholomew.

Other survivors include sisters Dorothy Mandic, Sharon Heinen, and Lynn Moran, sisters-in-law Mary Dunstan and Dana Burns, and brothers-in-law Larry Hancock and Ray Capp, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, sisters Peggy Stordahl, Patty Capp, Betty Hogan, Helen Hancock, brother Jim, in-laws Bill Stordahl, Don Hogan, Steve Mandic, Roland Hasner, Shirley & Bill Gibson, George Burns, and Phil Dunstan.

Thanks to caregivers: Marlisa, Cassie, Deb, Bobbie, Morgan, Gabi, Jane & Honeybee Hospice for their loving care of Mom.

Services for Mary will be held on Friday, May 1, at St. Ann's Church. Visitations will be at 10 AM, followed by mass at 11 AM.