Obituary of Catherine Mary Burns

Our loss is Heaven’s gain. With heavy hearts we share the sad news that Catherine “Cathy” Burns of Morris Township passed into eternal life on October 24, 2016. Cathy was a talented, outgoing spirit with a heart for people. Born in Newark, NJ, she graduated St. Michaels H.S. in 1954 where she was a cheerleader and made lifelong friends, including her former husband John “Jack” Burns. Her many interest included tap dancing, roller skating, antiques, furry friends and all things Irish – especially St. Patrick’s Day celebrations . A lifelong Catholic, she worshipped in many parishes, most recently St. Virgil’s in Morris Plains. She also served as the church secretary at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Parsippany and Millbrook United Methodist Church in Randolph. In the banking industry for over 30 years (Carteret Savings & Loan and Midlantic Bank), Cathy spent her later years serving a cause near and dear to her heart, visiting the elderly and sick in her community. Along with her therapy dog Katie, her prized Japanese Chin, she brought joy to so many people’s lives. Cathy was the beloved mother of John (wife Mary), Cathy (husband Al Perrotta) and Cindy (husband Coray Kirby). Her greatest joy was being the beloved Nana of Hannah, Fletcher and Brush Kirby. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Eneas McGibbon and Catherine nee Connolly of Belfast, Ireland, her brother Ernest and many countless cherished pets through the years, especially her Katie. Visiting will be at the Dangler Funeral Home at 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, on Sunday October 30th, from 6PM to 8PM. A memorial Mass will be offered Monday, October 31st at 10AM at St. Virgil’s, 250 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains. If you wish to honor her memory, donations (in lieu of flowers) can be made to Eleventh Hour Rescue, P.O. Box 218, Rockaway, New Jersey, 07876.