Marianne Burns

BURNS, Marianne - Age 88, of Corunna, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Oliver Woods Retirement Village in Owosso.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek from 4-8 PM.  Inurnment will take place at 10:30 AM Thursday, August 3, 2023 at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, with a military service for her and her late husband, William D. Burns, a Korean War Marine Corps veteran who died on May 12, 2020.  Those desiring may make contributions to the American Heart Association or to the Alzheimer's Association.    

 Marianne was born on February 27, 1935 in Flint, the daughter of Edward and Elsie (Farrer) Athey.  She attended Dye School and Dye High School in Flint from kindergarten through her graduation in 1953 and was active in many school and alumni activities.  She married William Burns on June 13, 1953 in Flint and worked at General Motors for a few years before taking time out of the work force to raise her family.  In 1974, Marianne returned to work as the office manager at Burns Well Drilling, a commercial and residential water well drilling business in Flint owned by her husband, brother-in-law, son and grandson.  She worked at Burns Well Drilling for 46 years, until her retirement in 2020.  While growing up, Marianne was active in the Girl Scouts and enjoyed serving as a Girl Scout leader for her daughter.  She also enjoyed travel with her family and with her friends travel group.  At their farm in Corunna, Marianne and her husband raised cattle and quarter horses and were involved for many years with their family in Shiawassee County 4-H Horse Clubs and the Shiawassee County Fair.  Mrs. Burns was deeply devoted to her family, with whom she enjoyed gathering at the family farm and at the family cottage in Oscoda.   

 Marianne is survived by her daughter Kim (Anthony) Spaniola of Troy; her son Clinton “Bob” Burns of Corunna; by her four grandchildren:  Anthony (Jesse) Spaniola of Massachusetts; Kendyll (Dave) Schaeffer of South Carolina; Nicholas Spaniola of Troy; and Rob (Lisa) Burns of Bancroft; by four great grandchildren:  William and Ruth Schaeffer; and Hunter and Miles Spaniola; by a fifth great grandchild expected in December; by a brother Bill (Janice) Athey; and by several nieces and nephews.  Marianne was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband William; by seven sisters:  Beverly Bryson; Nancy Thompson; Kay Hughes; Sally Oberley; Betty Kleinedler; Roseanne Wilson; and Barbara McClenathan; and by three brothers:  Paul, Gerald and Edward Athey. 

 The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. James Walker of Grand Blanc for his compassion in caring for Marianne and her husband for many years, and also to the staff at Oliver Woods and CorsoCare Hospice for their loving care and attention.  Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.