Robert and family
Our deepest sympathy.
Marie Öri Burns passed away August 29, 2022, at Grace Village, Sherbrooke, Quebec. Marie was the beloved wife of Robert Burns of Island Brook. They celebrated 65 years of marriage earlier this year. Marie was 93.
Marie’s children, Kathy (David Walker) and Andrew (Heather Moore) give thanks for her life, as do her much-loved grandchildren: Winston, Thaddeus, Nathan, and Adriel Walker; and Ashton, Karleen, Darby, and Kelson Burns. Marie is survived by her loving youngest brother, Csaba Troester.
Maria was born to Erszébet Karolta Domjan and Endre Öri on April 16, 1929, during an unusual snowfall in Budapest, Hungary. At 18 and on her own, Maria “Marie” Öri arrived in the snowbound month of January at Halifax’s Pier 21 to begin life as an aspiring Canadian in 1948.
Marie was soon working and training in Ontario as a nursing assistant at facilities in Brockville, Toronto, and Hamilton. While observing a roommate’s life of faith, Marie experienced a conversion and became a follower of Christ. She studied at Eastern Pentecostal Bible College in Peterborough and was commissioned as a deaconess to the Lennoxville (Quebec) Pentecostal Church in 1956. Many lifelong friendships immediately took root. It was not long before Marie met Robert, an introduction made by his sister Margaret. They married June 8, 1957, and made their home in Island Brook, where they lived many chapters of a life dedicated to family, faith, and community. Marie’s hospitality and generosity were well known.
Always reading, Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, graduating Bishop’s University proudly on the same day as her son in 1984. Marie was an artist and a writer. Her self-taught needlework was superlative. Among her many writing projects were two books, an autobiographical novel and a memoir, tracing the immigration story of a young girl who finds an open door in Canada and a home with the love of her life.
Marie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006 and she and Robert managed together at home until late 2017, when she moved to Grace Village. Robert and her children are profoundly grateful for the care and dignity the people of Grace gave to Marie in her final chapter.
One of Marie’s favorite scripture verses was “Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it.” Open doors defined Marie’s earthly life, and with her final breath there was one more open door at last visible to her.
A memorial service will be held September 24 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Village, 1515 Pleasant View St., Sherbrooke. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marie’s memory to the Grace Village Care Foundation (1515 rue Pleasant View, Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 0C6 or online www.gracevillage.ca/donations) are deeply appreciated.