Sally Ann O Burns

Sally was born May 27, 1938 to Vera Krueger. At the age of six months Sally was adopted by George and Dorthy Orfald and became the sister of Scott. She adored her family and often told stories of her early years. After her mother's death in 1977, Sally made contact with Vera, her birth mother. Sally enjoyed including Vera in family celebrations. When Sally was 14 she met her beloved "Blue eyed Boy" Jim Burns. They fell in love. In 1956 they graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis. They married November 8, 1957. Sally was creative and destined to become an artist. In 1959 she gave birth to Jim Jr. She loved being a mother . Jenny came along in 1963 and John, in quick succession in 1964. Finally, at the request of Jenny, a baby sister, Jessica came along December 1970. In this way the artist had produced her masterpieces. Sally was strong in her faith and became Catholic when she married Jim. She taught her children to love God and fulfilled her promise to see they received their Catholic instruction and sacraments. Sally nurtured her husband and children with a constant stream of unconditional love. She was gentle and understanding and a fierce protector of her little family. Sally adored holidays. Especially the ones hosted by her parents George and Dorothy in their Colfax Avenue home. Many of her fond memories with family included her beloved sister in law, Anne, brother Scott and their children. David, Catherine and Susan. Sally, a lover of dogs, began showing her champion Lhasa Apso, Koko in the mid 70's which led to a successful cottage industry of breeding future champions. She employed her children to serve as playmates to the puppies to socialize them and make them ready for their forever families. With the income Sally produced from the sale of her pups she proudly treated her family to cherished vacations on the shores of Lake Superior each summer. In 1979 Jim and Sally purchased a family cabin in Stone Lake, Wisconsin. It was here that they spent their summers . Sally on the shores of Whitefish Lake experienced a reawakening of her artistic creativity, picked up her brush and immersed herself into the colorful and rich world of watercolors. She was an avid student of local master watercolorists. Sally became the president of the Twin Cities Watercolor Society for a number of years and showed her pieces in galleries and juried art competitions. In the mid 80's Sally started her own framing business. Sally started teaching small classes of students the nuances of watercolor painting. Her students became life long friends. Sally's children brought more love into her life. Jim Jr. married Sandy Torrini, Jennifer married David MacKinnon, Jessica married Jerry Chrisman, and John married Millie Floyd. Sally and Jim became grandparents in 1984 with the birth of Joseph. Lovers of babies, Sally and Jim were ever present and took their new roles seriously. Geoffrey appeared in 1989 and their love only multiplied. Shea was born in 2001 and his sister Shannon in 2006. New lives to adore. Sally and Jim immersed themselves in the lives and activities of all their children and grandchildren and were very proud and supportive of them in all their endeavors. In 2014 Jim and Sally became Great Grandparents to Violet and Amelia. In 2017 Maisie and Louie. Although the great grandchildren lived out of state the occasional visits and frequent opportunities with video calls allowed a loving relationship to develop and be nurtured. In 2015, when health issues produced limitations for Sally and Jim, their children rallied and worked diligently to help their parents stay in their home in Bloomington . After nine years of family support Sally and Jim made a new home for themselves in Northfield Minnesota at The Benedictine Home in August of 2023. Jim and Sally made friends of both residents and staff. Sally was generous with her, "Love you!" and expressed her joy with the frequent phrase, "To die for!" Following a heart attack February 6th, her family was a constant presence at her side both day and night. For family who could not be present, Sally had phone conversations where she would share her happiness and love. Jim, her life long love was at her side when Sally gently left this world. Many thanks to friends and family, the Benedictine Home of Northfield and St Croix Hospice. All provided comfort and dignity to this beautiful woman and provided guidance and kindness to us, her loving husband and children. Sally collected donations for the American Cancer Society for many years. Memorials for Sally can be made through the American Cancer Society.

Tributes

Sally Ann O Burns

May 27, 1938 - February 22, 2024

Tributes

Sally Ann O Burns

May 27, 1938 - February 22, 2024

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