Mary Birns

Mary Louise Birns , 82, of Littleton, Colorado, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2020 following a valiant struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. on August 10, 1938 to I. Frank and Marion C. Walker. She attended Pelham Memorial High School, Trinity College, Burlington , VT. and received her Masters in Education from the University of Connecticut.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband of 39 years, Lewis J. Birns. They married in 1972 and settled in White Plains, N.Y.

She taught math for 35+ years at Albert Leonard Middle School and was a pioneer in teaching computer science.

She had an abiding interest in spinning and weaving which was sparked by her docent work at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside home in Tarrytown, N.Y. where she sheared sheep as part of her duties.  Mary Lou went on to become an accomplished weaver, spinner and basket-weaver.  She and Lewis retired to Williamburg, VA where she continued her artistic pursuits. She moved to Colorado in 2015.

Mary Lou loved history, sports, especially the Jets and Yankees and cherished the 4 dogs that were part of her family over her lifetime.  She was a wonderful aunt and sister, survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Susan Walker of Leadville, CO, 4 nieces and nephews and 8 grand nieces and nephews

In lieu of flowers,  donations can be forwarded to Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies: www.ParkinsonRockies.org