Burns, Celia Urrea

Celia Urrea Burns (Robert) passed from this life October 13, 2017 at the age of 97. Born October 31, 1919 in Mesa, Arizona to Charles Urrea and Amelia Burrell Urrea, the second of eight children. She was a woman full of love, spirit, spunk and a simple faith. She was a loving, positive mother and grandmother who instilled confidence and dreams in her children and posterity. She was the mother to James K. Zaharis (Cheryl) and Kathlyn Russell (Bruce) and protector to 7 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-granddaughters. Her life was full of giving and a friend to all, especially the underdog. She attended Mesa Schools and graduated from Mesa High in 1937. She was the last survivor of that class. She read two books a week well into her nineties and loved to talk of early Mesa. Her love of her parents and 7 brothers and sisters, Bea, Ben, Oscar, Chuck, Mona, Norma and Don in the Urrea family was celebrated at the weekly Sunday dinners at the Urrea family farm on East Main Street in Mesa. They were legendary in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and most of the town attended at least once. She joins a loving big family in the eternities and leaves a grateful loving family here on Earth. What a legacy and icon she has been to those who loved her and knew her affectionately as “Ma”. Funeral services are Friday October 20th at 10 AM, at the LDS Chapel, 2414 N. Gilbert Rd. Mesa. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice@Home (480) 478-0643. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.