Elaine Gayle Burns, retired registered nurse
Elaine Gayle (Pearce) Burns went peacefully to her eternal home following a prolonged illness Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Elaine was born in Enola, Pa., Aug. 3, 1936, to Walter Lee Pearce and Freda Mae (Ashenfelder) Stouffer.
After raising her three children, she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Elaine graduated from South Baltimore School of Nursing in Baltimore, Md., to become a licensed practical nurse. She briefly moved to Oklahoma City, Okla. Upon her return to Maryland, she decided to further her education in nursing and returned to nursing school, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
Elaine and her beloved husband, “Bud”, moved to Long Neck, where she worked as a case manager for CareFirst BCBS.
Upon retirement, Elaine continued doing what she loved best by volunteering at Delaware Hospice in Milford.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bud” Burns; her parents; her infant son, Michael Kevin Smith; and a sister, Barbara Lindquist.
Elaine is survived by two daughters, Beth Ann Griffin (Dale) and Karen Lynn Smith; two sons, David Scott Roberts (Kelly) and Darryl Wayne Roberts. She was mom-mom to three grandchildren, great-grandmom to six great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandma to one.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 5, at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 21265 John J. Williams Hwy., Lewes.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, delawarehospice.org.
