Gladys T. Burns, 90, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, April 6th, 2020. Born in North Providence, Rhode Island on September 11th, 1929, she was a devoted, life-long resident of Central Falls. She was the daughter of P. Walter and Blanche (Chandonnait) Leech and beloved wife of the late Richard M. Burns, Captain on the Central Falls Fire Department. She leaves behind her four children, Kevin Burns and his wife Dianne of Seekonk, MA, Kathleen Hammond and her husband Joseph of Seekonk, MA, Richard Burns and his wife Donalee of West Roxbury, MA, and John Burns of Woonsocket, RI. She was a loving Grandmother to her "three girls," Katie Thayer and her husband Chris of Pawtucket, RI, and Emily Burns and Meghan Burns of West Roxbury, MA. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her siblings Wilfred Leech, Walter Leech, Dorothy Lavallee, Eileen Sroka, Albert Leech and Robert Leech.

She was the Secretary to the Mayor of Central Falls from 1978 to 1991 for three different Mayors. Prior to that, she was a School Secretary in the Central Falls School District and a member of RI Council 94 AFSCME, AFL-CIO. She served on the Central Falls Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for over 25 years. Gladys enjoyed travelling to Cape Cod and California, visiting with family. She also spent time at Ocean Grove with the Bennett family and many summers at Pettaquamscutt with friends, Alice and Maureen. She also enjoyed many activities with her 1947 classmates from Central Falls High School. She loved a good laugh or joke and always had a smile on her face. Gladys thoroughly enjoyed good conversation with old friends and new, of which she had many. She always made a conscious effort to learn everyone's name. She had an amicable personality and frequently socialized, so everyone knew hers as well. Interment will be private due to the Covid-19 crisis. A Catholic celebration of life will be announced at a later date when it is safe to congregate in large groups. We would like to thank all of the dedicated and compassionate staff at Saint Antoine Residence in North Smithfield who took great care of our Mom and Gramma. They became part of our family over the past few years. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Saint Antoine Residence Activity Fund. This will help support the variety of daily activities provided for the residents in which Gladys participated and were a highlight of her every day. For a donation, checks payable to: Saint Antoine Residence, 10 Rhodes Avenue, North Smithfield, Rhode Island 02896. In the notes section, please indicate that the donation is for the "Activities Fund".