Patricia A Burns

Peacefully joined God March 22, 2022. She was born in May of 1934 in Peoria Il, where she grew up going to the family farm during the summers, and attended Peoria high school. There she also met and married her sweetheart Charles B. Burns Jr. in 1954. Together they had three children during their 62 year marriage. They lived in many cities and Air Force Bases where they made lifelong friends across the U.S. The final move for our family in 1973 landed us in Spokane. Pat was happiest when with her family and close friends. She often took credit for having 2 sets of twin grandsons born within 3 weeks of each other- because she wanted grandkids! Diamond lake was her favorite choice for gatherings, especially to watch the sunsets from the porch. Always the entertainer, and wanting to make you feel welcome , Pat’s motto was “I do not want to make reasons for you to stay, only reasons for you to return” ~jonivan. This held true for Family and so many friends. Pat was a great listener, and from her years of various experiences, she had good advice to share. She was also known to offer assistance and wanted to take care of others, putting her needs aside. Pat held several successful careers while supporting her family as a military wife and busy mother. She also completed several courses at her “local” universities. She proudly worked at the Department of Defense at several Military bases. She found many ways to serve others. Some of her philanthropic adventures were as the Vice President of the 300 member women’s church Group in one city , the first woman on the Boy Scout Troop Committee in another, and Girl Scout cookie chair in Spokane. She was part of the “ Voices of Thomlinson Black singing group” that performed for hospital and assistant living patients. She loved to sing! When the family moved to Spokane in 1973 she held positions as a career counselor, and office administrator. Pat then became a successful business woman in real estate where she served on the Spokane Board of Realtors, and was a mentor that many looked up to and sought her counsel. Pat; wife, mom, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend, and so much more, instilled her values of love and understanding, the treasure of shared meals (no matter how late the dinner!) honesty, hard work and education . With her great smile she lit up a room, and made you feel at home . She will be missed by all, and held in our hearts forever. Preceded in death by her son Brian E. Burns, December 20, 2014, and her loving husband Charles B. Burns Jr. on June 29, 2016. Survived by her son Charles B. Burns, III (Seattle) daughter Barbara (Burns) Cruz of Spokane, and her four grandsons Benjamin M. Burns and Bryce E. Burns (Edmonds), Nicholas E. Cruz and Michael A. Cruz (Spokane). The Burns family would like to thank Dr. Danko Martincic and his compassionate staff at Beacon Cancer Center, and Dr. Kristina Anderson and her staff for their care and respect to Pat. Hospice of Spokane was also of extreme importance to us all in her last days with us in her home, thank you. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to a charity of your choice. Funeral services will be held Saturday April 9th 2pm at Audubon Park United Methodist church. Please join us.