Marie Burns

Marie Burns “had a full life,” said her nephew and godson James Burns. Interested in a range of subjects and always busy with something, “she wasn’t able to sleep at night because her mind was always moving on to the next project. She wanted to accomplish something every day.” 

Nursing was her profession, but Ms. Burns, who lived in Sag Harbor for most of her life, was also intrigued by criminal justice. She had renovated houses with her nephew and had a flair for interior design, loved photography, and had traveled extensively in the United States, South America, and Europe. 

She died on Feb. 17 at the Hampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton. She was 90 and had been in poor health since an operation a year ago. 

Born in East Hampton on March 24, 1925, to Lawrence Joseph Burns Sr. and the former Adeline Quaroche, she grew up in Sag Harbor, where she attended the St. Andrew’s School and the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary. She went on to study nursing at Southampton Hospital and worked in New York City upon completion of her studies, first at Brooklyn State Hospital, then at Queens General Hospital, and later at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. She lived with her uncle, a New York City detective, on 168th Street and loved city life, her nephew said. 

She might have stayed longer, but after about nine years there, her mother became ill and she returned to Sag Harbor to help care for her. She became head nurse and then director of nursing at Southampton Hospital, finally retiring in 1991 after more than 35 years there. “She was a very hard worker and really into her career,” Mr. Burns said. While working, she took classes at Southampton College in nursing and other subjects. 

She was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, which the Burns family had helped to launch, and was also involved in the Cormaria Retreat House in Sag Harbor. 

A Mass was said at St. Andrew’s on Saturday. Ms. Burns was cremated.

In addition to Mr. Burns, who lives in Sag Harbor, she is survived by a brother, Lawrence Joseph Burns Jr., and a sister, Geraldine Burns, both of Sag Harbor. Another brother, Robert Burns, died before her. She also leaves another godson and nephew, Robert Burns III of Copiague, two other nephews, and two nieces.