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She is survived by her husband Edmund, daughter Deborah, sons Edmund Jr. and Christopher, daughter-in-law Misti, grand-daughters Christina, Annabel and Elizabeth, grand-sons Matthew and Jack, brother Thomas and sister Nancy.
Burns was born on Dec. 1st, 1936 in Helena, Mon. and was a descendant of homesteaders from Scotland and Sweden.
Buens was described as self-possessed, unpretentious, industrious, inventive, independent, creative, artistic, fiercely intelligent, so graceful, kind and decent to the bone. The most important thing in Burns' life was being a great wife, mother, and grandmother.
In 1958, as a student at Montana State University, she met Edmund Burns. He was from New York and was sent to Montana State University on a football scholarship, after being recruited during his time served in the Navy. Their romance was vivid and immediate and they married within the year. They soon had a daughter, Deborah and a son, Edmund, Jr. Subsequently, they moved to New York after Edmund husband was offered a position at IBM. They settled in Yorktown Heights and had another son, Christopher.
Burns devoted all of herself to her children. She was in the front row of every school recital, game and performance. When the children were old enough, Charlee became a high school English teacher at Yorktown High School, where she was swiftly adored by all of her students.
When Charlee and Edmund became empty nesters, Charlee decided to pursue a career at IBM. Soon she ascended to management and directorial positions. Burns was a natural leader in everything she put her mind to. Any organization she was a part of, she became their president. Starting at her Chi Omega Sorority at Montana State University and segueing into the President of the PTA, The Women’s Club and Sweet Adelines International.
Charlee and Edmund would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on Sept. 6. Theirs was a true love story.
Burns' wake will be held Friday, September 1st from 4 to 8 pm at Leo P. Gallagher and Son's Funeral Home at 31 Arch St. in Greenwich.
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