Thelma D. Burns
May 27, 1936 - November 18, 2022
Obituary for Thelma D. Burns
Thelma D. (Callender) Burns, a well-known Boston community service champion, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2022, at The Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, surrounded by family.
Born in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1936, Thelma lived her early years in a multi-generational, multi-family home, with her parents and brothers, as well an uncle, aunt, and cousin: this may be where she acquired her steadfast commitment to family and her love of community.
After completing High school and moving to Dorchester, Thelma graduated from nursing school, which is how she began her professional career. In 1956 she married Edward Burns, a union that produced three daughters, Gemma, Karen, and Candace.
Reacting to the unfair firing of a Boston school teacher, for what she knew to be cultural bias, Thelma joined forces with others to voice their outrage and concern. This was the start of her journey into community service and social activism. This also led to her return to academia where she earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston University, and a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University. Thelma was also selected as a Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Fellow. All this, while maintaining a full-time job, family, and household.
For several years, Thelma served as co-founder and Executive Director of The Storefront Learning Center, one of Boston’s first learning programs focused on the needs of inner-city youth. Thelma’s focus and involvement with Boston’s marginalized youth grew to include her service in two different Metropolitan Council of Education Opportunity (METCO) program communities, first in Cohasset and later in Belmont, where she spent more than 20 years changing and improving the lives of countless young people.
After her retirement from METCO in 2001, Thelma became focused on the needs and concerns of Boston’s senior community. She worked tirelessly advocating for the needs of the elderly, serving on numerous committees and organizing life-enriching educational and social events.
Thelma served on the Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) Board of Directors for more than 35 years in multiple capacities, including Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Chair. Thelma headed the ABCD Dorchester Neighborhood Service Center board for more than 15 years. She also operated in a leadership capacity on numerous community boards, including Central Boston Elder Services, the Mayor’s Senior Advisory Council, and the Roxbury YMCA. Most recently she served on the Grimes-King Foundation for the Elderly, Inc. In 2016, Thelma was recognized when ABCD elected to name its newly renovated building in her honor. The Thelma D. Burns building is home to The University High School, for non-traditional students, and hosts public and private events that serve and enrich the community.
A two-time cancer survivor and ardent advocate, Thelma volunteered for several programs focused on increasing cancer awareness and prevention. She volunteered at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and was an active member of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Pink and Black Education and Support Network.
Thelma’s devotion and commitment to faith were unwavering. A long-time member of two local churches, Thelma’s first spiritual home was, The First Church of God in Boston, and for many years now she has made Morning Star Baptist Church her spiritual home.
Thelma was also a long-time member of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., aligned with the Boston Alumnae chapter, and was one of the founding members of the Norfolk Plymouth Area Alumnae Chapter.
Thelma leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Edward Burns; her children, Gemma (Elisa) Burns, Karen Burns (Cecil) White, and Candace Burns and partner, Richard Francis; her grandsons, Kyle (Paige) White and Dr. Cedric (Dr. Julianne) White, and great-granddaughter, Morgan White; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Thelma is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Eva Callender, and her brothers, Rev. Dr. Eugene Callender and Leland Callender.
Visitation will be held at Morning Star Baptist Church, 1257 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan on Tuesday, November 29th Viewing - 9-10:30AM. Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Omega Omega Service – 10:30AM. The Funeral Service will begin at 11AM.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Thelma D. Burns, in support of their Cancer Care Equity Program.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284
Gifts can also be made to the Action for Boston Community Development in support of their Head Start program.
Action for Boston Community Development 178 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02111 (Please indicate Thelma Burns Memorial in the check memo)
Services
Viewing
09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Omega Omega Service
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
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