Obituary of Mary Jane Burns

Mary Jane Burns (nee Erickson) Age 82, of Joliet, IL, passed away peacefully, Monday, August 24, 2015 at the University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital. Born August 12, 1933 in Joliet to the late Mary Jane (nee Williams) and Fred Erickson, she was raised in Elwood, IL and had resided in Joliet all of her adult life. Mary Jane received an Associates degree from Joliet Junior College and a bachelor degree from the University of St. Francis. She enjoyed a fulfilling career as an area educator, spanning over 50 years, with 40 of those years at Elwood Community School District and a decade at St. Joseph Catholic grade school in downtown Joliet. Survived by her son, Dennis (Sherry) Burns; daughter, Jane Marie (Thomas) Wojcik; sisters-in-law, Ann Burns and Arminta Burns; brother-in-law Thomas Tyler; two nieces, Kathy, nee Rowan (late Wendell) Brockett and Jayne, nee Rowan (John) Ballun; one nephew, Thomas (Jackie) Tyler, Jr. Mary Jane was also the loving grandmother of Tom, Jillian, Ally, Stephanie and Brennan whom she adored immensely. Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Robert "Denny" Burns (2014); her parents; two sisters, Marjorie, nee Erickson (late Robert) Rowan and Carol (nee Erickson) Tyler; one brother, James Erickson. Mary Jane's love for teaching and guiding didn't stop at retirement. She embraced every opportunity to be a presence in the lives of her grandchildren and enjoyed the many bonds she held with former students. Funeral services for Mary Jane Burns will be held Saturday, August 29, 2015, 12:15 p.m. from the Fred C. Dames funeral home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 416 N. Chicago St., Joliet, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be made to Elwood School or St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation Friday from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. For information (815) 741-5500 or visit her book of memories at www.fredcdames.com