Obituary of Velma Elizabeth Burns

Velma Elizabeth (Coyle) Burns passed away on June 17th at the age of 77. She was born in Arizona to Enos Coyle and Minnie (Silver) Coyle on September 25, 1937. Her parents brought her to California "without her consent" when she was only 9 months old. It was while she was attending Monterey High that she met the love of her life, Walter "Bud" Burns. She went on to take classes at Monterey Peninsula College and spent 15 years working as an accountant. She and Bud also owned a couple of small business in the area. They started Glass & Brass, a gift store in the old Double Tree Hotel in Monterey; and she was "Mrs. B" of Mr. B's Mini Mart. It was there that she was the largest fund raiser on the Peninsula for the Miracle Network in 1997, which she hugely supported. Velma was very active in her community and was a member of many committees and women's organizations. A trait she proudly inherited from her mother, Minnie Coyle, the first female Mayor of Monterey. Velma was the local President and State Treasurer of Business and Professional Women's Club. She was a committee member for the Monterey High Class of 1955 Alumni who were responsible for all of the class reunions. She belonged to the Quota Club, Gold Coast Boat & Ski Club, and Local CB Radio Club. Apart from her civil duties, Velma loved to travel. She was an avid reader, a wonderful cook, and a lucky gambler. She won almost every raffle she ever entered and she enjoyed playing cards and computer video games. Every year she made Christmas cookies and delivered them to EVERYONE in her life: mail men, business associates, teachers, you name it. This was how she expressed her care. She was not a woman of many expressive words, but she loved giving gifts and preparing large dinners for friends and family alike. One of her favorite activities in later life was driving Ocean Blvd. Velma is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bud Burns; her daughter, Vicki Davis (Joel); her brother-in-law, Danny Burns (Linda); sister-in-law, Blanche Downing; and many many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held for Velma on Saturday, June 27th beginning at 11 am at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel, 1915 Ord Grove Ave. in Seaside. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Diabetes Foundation or to the U.S. Olympics (her favorite charity).