Helen Burns Obituary

passed peacefully in her home on July 6, 2025 at the age of 93 with her three children by her side, holding her hands. Helen entered the world on April 5, 1932 as the eldest child of Mabel and The Honorable Albert S. McGrover. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York-a place very dear to her heart. Helen graduated from Saint Saviour High School in Brooklyn in 1949 with High Honors, obtained an undergraduate degree from St. Joseph College in 1953, and then received a Master of English degree from Brooklyn College in 1954. Leveraging her advanced education, she worked as an English teacher in the New York City public school system at James Madison High School in Brooklyn and Forest Hills High School in Queens. Miss McGrover was known to be an absolute taskmaster when it came to the proper writing and speaking of the English language. Whether you were 8 or 80 years old, she would correct your grammar without hesitation.

During college, she crossed paths with her future husband, Stephen Joseph Burns, who was serving as an officer in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Theirs was truly a Brooklyn love story: while visiting his sister, who was a professor at St. Joseph College, Steve was known to strut across the campus donning his crisp Marine Corps uniform. As a 5-foot-8-inch-tall, auburn-haired, blue-eyed beauty-Helen McGrover certainly caught Steve's eye. But he caught hers as well, ultimately leading to their marriage in 1956. In 1957, Helen gave birth to their first child, Mary Jo, and four years later they welcomed their son Stephen Burns, Jr. into the family.

In 1966, Steve received a career-changing job opportunity, prompting the Burns family to move to Shaker Heights, Ohio. During her entire life, Helen had never lived anywhere but Brooklyn, yet she bravely navigated the unfamiliar Midwest terrain with great aplomb. In 1967, she gave birth to another daughter, Ellen. With her older children enrolled at Gesu Elementary, Helen became active in both the school and the parish, where she met many people who would become dear friends for the rest of her life.

Over the years, Helen dove into volunteerism, particularly WVIZ/PBS public television and the Christ Child Society, a Catholic nonprofit organization dedicated to helping at-risk children. She believed that every child deserved a fair start at life, especially if that life had started unfairly.

In her free time, Helen loved to read, tackle The New York Times crossword puzzles, compete in the Country Club's bowling league, talk on the phone for hours with her children, play bridge with her girlfriends (especially when partnered with her sister Mary Peyton), listen to Steve sing at parties, buy books, clothes, and toys for her grandchildren, laugh at a good joke, pray the rosary, travel to new places, and dance the waltz with her husband.

Being the recipient of Helen's affection was like being encircled by a halo of perpetual sunshine and warmth. Anyone who met her walked away feeling special and significant. She loved her family and friends unconditionally-and with her whole heart. Words cannot describe how deeply we will miss her, but it is a blessing to have journeyed our lives with her as our anchor.

Helen is survived by her three children: Stephen Burns, Jr., Mary Jo Clark, and Ellen McGinness; her sister, Mary Peyton; her sisters-in-law, Sr. Mary Florence Burns C.S.J. and Mary Patricia McGrover; her brother-in-law, Robert Peyton; her sons-in-law, Doug Clark and Neil McGinness, Jr.; her daughter-in-law, Ellen Burns; as well as her seven grandchildren and great-granddaughter who positively adored her: Katherine Fedele (spouse Jeff Danes); Michael (Imani) Fedele; Stephen Burns III (fiancée Mariah Gantz); Elizabeth Burns; Henry, Marina, and Charlotte McGinness; and Ava Fedele-Danes.

Helen's family would like to thank the three remarkable ladies who took meticulous, attentive, and wonderful care of her for many years: Mimi Cotton, Ebony Parker, and Sharon McNeal. We are forever grateful to them.

The family would appreciate any contributions in her honor to be sent to Carmel of the Holy Family, 2541 Arlington Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118.

Friends may call at SCHULTE & MAHON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 5252 MAYFIELD RD, LYNDHURST (BETWEEN RICHMOND AND BRAINARD) ON SUNDAY, JULY 13 FROM 4:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. In celebration of her life, a Mass will be held on Monday, July 14 at 11:00 A.M at Church of the Gesu, 2470 Miramar Blvd., University Heights, Ohio 44118. (Please meet at the church.) Interment Lake View Cemetery. Please sign the funeral home Tribute Wall at: schultemahonmurphy.com