Emilia Domenica (Mainello) Burns

Emilia Domenica Burns, 96, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was called to her eternal rest by our Lord Jesus Christ on October 28, 2017. She died peacefully in the home she loved, enjoying the sunshine and birds outside her back porch. Emilia was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, and is survived by her sons Tom (Leslee), Jim (Patty), Bob (Janet), and Dennis. Emilia had nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren she loved and adored.
Emilia was born in Starkville, Colorado, to Thomas and Lena Mainello. After graduating from Trinidad High, she attended Colorado State University where she obtained a BS in dietary studies. She then moved to St. Louis and then Nashville where she worked two years as a nutritionist. Still wanting to further her education Emilia applied and received a work study fellowship to Syracuse University in New York as a nutritionist. There she met her future husband Joseph and they were married in August 1948 at St. Theresa's Church, in Syracuse.
Emilia and Joseph moved back west and started their family and careers in Denver Colorado. The family moved briefly back to Trinidad, Colorado and eventually to Aztec, New Mexico, where the family has lived for almost sixty years.
Mom was the anchor of the family. She was a smart, talented, driven, and kind hearted lady that somehow managed her professional career as well as raising four boys. She was a home economics teacher for both Aztec and Bloomfield Public Schools for over twenty three years. Her students loved her and kept in touch for years after she retired. In 1987 Emilia was only one of seven New Mexico teachers to receive the prestigious Jefferson Award from the American Institute of Public Services.
Emilia was very active with St. Joseph's Church in Aztec. The Church was a big focus after retirement. She spent many years volunteering in various duties for St Joseph. However, one of her biggest accomplishments was being a founding member of the Legion of Mary Society and starting the coupon clipping drive to raise money for the poor. If anyone was in need she would find the resources to help out. Emilia was very active in the Beta Sigma Chi Sorority and actively enjoyed playing bridge.
The Burns family especially thanks the truly wonderful and loving people that took care of Emilia, Leo and Earlene Olguin, Marina Mayorga, and Graciella Chacon. May God bless all of you.
A Rosary for Emilia will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 2, at St. Joseph's Catholic Parish, 500 N. Mesa Verde Ave, Aztec.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 3, at St. Joseph's Catholic Parish, with Father David Tate as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Farmington, 6501 West Main St. Pallbearers are Mike Burns, Kyle Burns, C.J. Burns, Chris Burns, Leo Olguin and Jim Wurzbach.
In lieu of flowers, we would ask contributions be made to the "Parish Poor Fund" , c/o St. Joseph's Parish Office, 424 N. Mesa Verde, Aztec, New Mexico, 87410
Emilia's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute Street, Farmington, (505) 325-8688. You may share condolences with the family on our website: www.serenityandcompany.com http://www.serenityandcompany.com