Ida Mae Burns

“She is as sweet as she looks,” her mother declared when Ida Mae first graced this earth on June 1, 1928.

Born of Ethel May Smith and Ernest Alvin Cunningham in Emporia, Kansas, Mom died peacefully August 7, 2018 surrounded by her eight children and extended family.

After meeting her lifelong friend, Shirley Premo, Mom and Dad purchased their home in the Gardens, down the street from Shirley. Mom and Shirley continued to share their homes, their families and a witty, dry sense of humor.

A strong, independent woman, Mom insisted on living alone after we all left home and created our own families.

Mom was a prodigious reader, a keen card player, an avid knitter, a devoted parishioner, a faithful follower of Days of Our Lives and a fanatical Eagles fan.

She was a Ma Bell telephone operator who dreaded making telephone calls.

Loved ones waiting for her on the far shore are her BFF Shirley Premo, her husband, Cloyce Burns, her mother and father and her brother, Max.

Loved ones here on the near shore to cherish and honor her memory are her children: David, Susan (Harold), Therese, Bernadette (Jim), Frank (Patti), Monica, Beth, Sean (Deanna) and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We are forever grateful to Miss Ruby of Home Instead, Miss Gwen of the U.S.P.S., Reverend Timothy M. Nolan of St. Peter the Apostle and the Christiana MICU Care Team. Thank you to Christiana Flower and Gift Shoppe for the beautiful fresh flower memorial wreath on Mom’s door.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Monday, August 13, 2018, at St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church, 521 Harmony St, New Castle, DE 19720, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mom requests contributions to St. Peter the Apostle Organ Restoration Fund, at the address listed above.