1929 – 2015

RUMFORD — Frances Mary (Coady) Burns, 85, died Monday, April 27, in Rumford. Fran was born on Dec. 13, 1929, in Manhattan, New York City, to Michael Coady and Bridget (Connelly) Coady. Her family moved to Jackson Heights in Queens, New York City, and then to Montauk, N.Y., on Long Island.

When she lived in Montauk, she shared a home with her mother; sister, Julia (Coady) Gatter; and nieces, Mary Gatter, Julie (Gatter) Botel and Linda Gatter. There she met a young Army lieutenant from Rumford Point, who was stationed at Camp Hero on Montauk Point. The lieutenant lived off base in a guesthouse on the Coady’s property, where Bridget introduced the lieutenant and Fran. That handsome lieutenant was her future husband, Harrison Marshall Burns, of Rumford Point.

After the Army, Harry was employed by A.P. Wyman and was assigned to a job-rebuilding the dam at East Outlet on Moosehead Lake. Fran adapted from being a city girl to living in a remote part of Maine and later established a wonderful home in Rumford Point with her husband and three boys, Michael, Robert and David. Fran was the anchor for the household and took care of her family.

Special recognition of her baking skills must be mentioned, as she made wonderful meals and always had cookies, pies, cakes and doughnuts available. She especially enjoyed her time at the family’s camp at Howard Pond in Hanover. Fran found much joy in her Irish heritage and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

She was a member of the Rumford Point Congregational Church and the Ladies Aid of the church. She was also a member of Plymouth Owners Club and the Antique Automobile Club of America, having owned a 1928 Plymouth and a 1937 Buick.

Fran is survived by her husband, Harrison, of 59 years; and sons, Michael Burns, married to Deborah (Wilson) Burns, Robert Burns, married to Louise (Sirois) Burns, and David Burns, married to Marcia (Mummé) Burns; nine grandchildren, Amy Landry and husband, David, M. Nicholas Burns and his wife, Shira (Panelli) Burns, Erica Webber, Andrew Burns and his partner, Audra Boynton, Matthew Burns and his partner, Kristen Fahey, Margaret Burns, Jason Burns, Erika Burns and Emma Burns; five great-grandchildren, Alex, Madelyne, Lydia, Jackson and Analiese; brother-in-law, Elliot Burns and wife, Barbara; sister-in-law, Mary Louise Burns; and brother-in-law, Richard Burns and wife, Barbara.

Fran is also survived by nieces and nephews, Mary Gatter, Julie (Gatter) Botel, Linda Gatter, Michele (Coady) Grossman, John Coady, Arthur Burns, Gayle (Burns) Maddox, Edward Burns and William Burns.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, John and Peter; her sister, Julia; and a sister-in-law, Helen (Niggles) Coady.

The family would like to thank the Ledgeview Living Center and the Rumford Hospital for their care and kindness with Fran.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.