Obituary of Elsa Margaret Burns

Elsa Margaret Burns, née Engel Born in Regina on March 15, 1912, died Friday, January 31, 2014, at Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home. Elsa was the fourth daughter of Mary Hoffman and John Engel, early immigrants to Regina from Eastern Europe. She was a remarkably capable woman, a former legal secretary who did everything well and happily in managing the household during her long marriage to the late John Burns, from baking the family bread to fine needlework to the regular outdoor maintenance of the house. She was beautiful, with an attractive girlish side and gleeful sense of humour, and a self-effacing grace, but she could be feisty when occasion demanded. Elsa lived her strong faith, and her deeds of charity to the sick or less able were always accomplished quietly. Elsa was predeceased by her daughter Frances (Anderson) and her sisters Rose (Miller), Anne (Kusch), Edith (Dojack) and Emily (Barton). She is survived by her children, Margaret (Hogan), and Peter and Thomas and their partners, Norma Green and Judy Ternier; her grandchildren Erin, Caitlin, Maggie, Timothy, Holly, Aaron, Joelle, Jehanne, Josephine and Johnny, and ten great-grandchildren; and her youngest sister Helen (McInnis). She is also survived by her sister-in-law Eleanor Hanley. Prayers will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Elsa will be remembered during the noon Mass at Blessed Sacrament R. C. Church, 2049 Scarth Street, Regina on Tuesday, February 4 at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Barry Anwender presiding. Interment in Riverside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elsa’s name, may be made to the Regina Food Bank, 445 Winnipeg Street, Regina SK S4R 8P2.