Mary Rowena Burns, 97, a resident of Flagstaff since 1985, died on April 14, 2009. Mary Burns was born February 25, 1912, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She was Salutatorian of her high school class and graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota in 1936. She was a member of Mortar Board which has kept up a Round Robin letter since 1936.

From 1943 to 1945 Mary worked at the Samuel Goldwyn movie studio in Hollywood, California, as a secretary in the Art and Research Departments. One day she played a game of badminton with the actor Gene Kelly.

She was a member of the Flagstaff Dancing Grannies for several years. She belonged to the Delta Gamma Sorority and to Chapter AT of PEO, Flagstaff.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Maynard, and daughter, Cathy Acheson. She is survived by her daughter Jennifer Burns, son-in-law William Acheson, and granddaughters Abby and Adrienne Acheson, and two great-granddaughters, Sierra and Catalina.

Per Mary's request services are private.