Elsa S. Burns

Elsa S. Burns, age 103, of Fairfield, beloved wife of the late William R. Burns, Sr., passed away peacefully Monday, October 24, 2016 at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Born in Bridgeport, the daughter of the late Louis and Priscilla Sava, she had been a lifelong Fairfield resident. She graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School and the Southern Connecticut Teacher's College and received her Masters Degree in Education from the University of Bridgeport. Mrs. Burns began her teaching career at Pequot School in Southport. After raising her children she returned to teaching in 1961 where she taught at Riverfield School in Fairfield until her retirement in 1980. She was a member of the Fairfield and Connecticut Retired Teacher's Associations and a lifelong parishioner of St. Emery Church. Predeceased by her daughter, Patricia E. Burns, she is survived by two beloved children, William R. Burns. Jr. of Fairfield and Priscilla Brown of Stratford; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Stolte-McGinty and Liam T. Brown; three great-grandchildren and two nephews. In addition to her husband and daughter she was predeceased by a grandson, Christopher Stolte, a sister and a brother. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Emery Church, 838 Kings Highway East, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery. Friends may greet the family Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com