Services for Deacon Deborah Stansbrough Burns will take place on July 11 at 1pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence, Kansas.
Deborah Stansbrough Burns of Lawrence Kansas died on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Deborah was born on February 28, 1952 in St. Louis MO to Raymond Arthur Stansbrough and Ruth Ronat Stansbrough. She graduated from University City High School in 1970. She then moved to Lawrence KS to attend the University of Kansas and completed a B.A. in history.
On May 31, 1975 she married Garth Frederick Burns at a celebration that remains renowned. The center of her world was being a mom to her beloved daughter Sarah Renee Burns.
Debbie was the first woman chair of KU Young Democrats and went on to manage the state legislative campaigns of Betty Jo Charlton . She remained active in the Douglas County Democrats throughout her life including serving as Vice Chairman. She was a poll worker in Douglas County for 50 years and for many of those was a Supervising Judge. She was proud to support democracy through free and fair elections.
She was an avid reader and cook. Her roast, Yorkshire pudding and Buche de Noel at Christmas will be missed. Her baked treats were legendary in the community.
She was active in Girl Scouts and served as Hidden Valley Board member, Troop Leader, Leader Trainer, and Day Camp leader. She loved teaching others to cook on a campfire and sing Girl Scout camp songs.
Watching her beloved Jayhawks play basketball and baseball was one of her favorite activities . She supported the baseball team as a season ticket holder and enjoyed attending their annual banquets.
Deborah was a forever St. Louis Cardinal fan who grew up loving Tim McCarver, Bob Gibson and Lou Brock. She had fond memories of attending games with her big sister Liz at Sportsman’s Park.
Deborah was called and ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal church on December 22, 2001 and served at Trinity Lawrence and St. Martin in the Fields Edwardsville.
She also completed a year of Clinical Pastoral Education training at Baptist Hospital in Kansas City and then worked for several years as a hospice chaplain.
As a deacon and chaplain she sought to care for the unseen and fulfill her Baptismal Covenant to see and serve Christ in all people, work for peace and justice and respect the dignity of every human being.
One of her roles as a deacon at Trinity was to administer the Deacon’s Discretionary Fund which provided pastoral care for those in crisis including helping with groceries, rent, gas, shelter, and medication.
Last summer Deborah participated in Kansas to Kenya and served as deacon at services. She spoke fondly of being so graciously received by people in their homes.
Deborah was thrilled to see giraffes up close.
Survived by husband Garth F. Burns, daughter Sarah Renee Burns and sisters Elizabeth Meyer and Christine Wagnon.
Predeceased by parents Raymond A. Stansbrough, Ruth Ronat Stansbrough and siblings Phyllis Moore, Patricia J. Dedeke, Kurt L. Stansbrough.
Family requests donations to the Deacon’s Discretionary Fund Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont St, Lawrence, KS 66044, or Relay For Life of Douglas County, ATTN: RFL of Douglas County, 100 Rock Chalk Lane, Lawrence, KS 66049.
Really insightful piece! Your exploration of symbolic systems and personal meaning covers ground that many overlook. Appreciate the thoroughness and thoughtfulness.
Garth and Sarah. I was so sad to hear of Deb’s passing. I looked forward to our conversations when I saw her on Rod’s schedule. It was so apparent that her love for you both was always foremost in her mind. May Gof grant you peace during this difficult time.
I’m so pleased to see that Debbie was as loved in Lawrence by the many people whose lives she touched as she was in St Louis where I grew up next door to her.
I admired her political activism as well as her hospice work, and her dedication to others as shown currently in her work as a deacon with her church. I know Debbie met the challenges in life with bravery and grace. I am so sorry she has passed .
On a personal note Debbie was always my cool next door neighbor who did everything first. She told me about the Beatles before they were known by all. She dated and broke up with a guy before I had a first date. She found true love with Garth in college and married him.
She always had a serious side as well as a fun side, and a zest for life that turned into a life of service. I will miss her wisdom and compassion and strong commitment to justice for everyone. She truly lived her ideals. She was also a wonderful friend . I’ll miss her greatly.
I was so shocked and saddened when learning of Deborah’s passing. We became instant Friends when I started at Trinity. One year when Mother’s day coincided with KU’s graduation, and my daughters could not find accomadations, they cancelled their plans to visit me. As I was sharing this with Deborah., she said, “Next time just send them over to my house where we have plenty of room!” What a precious gesture that was. And so like her. I deeply regret I cannot attend her service. An out of town work shop, for this coming year cannot be missed. May Garth and daughter Sarah be given God ‘s blessing , love and peace dring this time. Jane Campbell
We will especially miss Debbie when we go to vote this Aug and Nov. Debbie was always there supervising, and it was a time we would all catch up on family news. She was a devoted friend and we had several wonderful talks while in the Berkowitz home after David’s sudden death. No matter her own situation, she showed up when friends needed her. Her faith shaped her life and will always be a model to emulate and a shining star in the firmament for the multitudes of people worldwide who admired and respected her. Our deepest condolences to Garth and Sarah and to her extended family. Debbie will be missed.
So sorry to hear from Deb’s passing. I can’t make it to the funeral, as I will be in the hospital after surgery, but my thoughts are with you both. She is such a loss to the church and the community.
Garth and Sarah, I was so saddened to read of Debbie’s passing. Was in water aerobics with her not too long ago. I know everyone in class will miss her. Praying for all the good memories to guide you through these tough days and for many years to come.
Garth and Sarah, we are sorry for your loss. Debbie’s kindness towards other defined her.
Garth and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I last saw Debbie at my mother’s burial service and reception and we had a wonderful conversation. I can hardly believe she is gone.
Im so sorry.
Gar and Sarah, my heart was broken when I found out about Deborah’s passing. She was my friend, my support and I loved that smile. Please, if there is anything I can do for either of you just let me know. I knew she was ill but I had no idea she was as ill as she was. She will be missed and always loved. You both of course will always be loved also.
It has been a privilege to have known Deborah who lived her core beliefs and values. Her loss will be felt by many. My heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved her.
Neither Trinity, nor Lawrence, will be the same without you. You will be truly missed.
Sarah, We are so sorry to hear about the sudden loss of your mother. It sounds like she was an extraordinary woman and will be missed both by the community and you and your father. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family
This is so hard to write. I met Debbie, Sarah, and Garth through Trinity Episcopal Church when I was very young. Debbie, although not by baptism, but by example because my God Mother. I cannot ever truly put into words that the kindness, knowledge, embodied strength that she parced into all that she did. I am me in part because she was in my life. I am grateful that she was in my life and that I had the honor to be part of hers. Forever.
Debbie was an incredible friend, neighbor, community member, and leader. I am so grateful to have known her and to have shared such a kind and consistent friendship through being neighbors. My entire family feels her absence deeply and I miss her so much!!
I loved Debbie Burns with all my heart. She is a personal friend and I will always treasure our deep conversations. Debbie also ministered to my family by serving communion in my husband’s hospital room during his final days, by providing communion foro me and my family in my home before I had successful heart surgery, and by bringing communion to me countless times. She had found her mission in life and she lived it every day. My sincere sympathy and thanksgiving for her life is extended to Garth and Sarah.
Debbie was a wonderful human! She was my Girl Scout leader in elementary school. She always encouraged me to try new things and was patient with me as well. She will be missed
I worked with Deborah in her early years as a hospice chaplain. She was professional and sincere in her dealings with patients and staff alike.
Deacon Deborah was a force of love, intelligence, compassion, courage, integrity, Faith, and Light. The outreach ministry that I pastor [Faith Through Action] in Lawrence, KS & KC,MO + as an unstaffed missionary-pastor residing for over 900 days at the Lawrence Community Shelter has been remarkably facilitated by the Heart of Deacon Deborah as well as her counsel. She and I spoke + prayed together many times over the phone; esp. the last 3 months of her life on Earth. Her lead at Trinity Episcopal & their benevolent Fund paid single mom’s water bills,bought bus tickets, paid for medicine, gave Walmart gift cards for needed items, Dillons gift cards for food, etc to help this particular ministry among others. Her creedo was the loving tolerance of JESUS CHRIST.. and justice for all in circumspect thought, intentions and active application. The name Deborah means “Bee” in the hebrew language.. and Deacon Deborah was a busy bee for serving her church, the community, her family and GOD. Personally, I’m devastated and shocked by our sudden loss. Prayers for her husband Garth, daughter, and sister who were in the house as her “nurses” when we last chatted. She was a delight. So interesting.. and deep in HOLY SPIRITEDness. I adored listening to her talk about her recent sojourn to Africa. And such great wisdom. She is & will be as much of a gift to Heaven’s Eternity as she was to all who knew her.. esp those who ministered alongside her. Thank You, LORD,for Deacon Deborah Burns. Amen. *Love, pastor michael; missionary-pastor; Lawrence, KS
Deacon Deborah was a force of love, intelligence, compassion, courage, integrity, Faith, and Light. The outreach ministry that I pastor [Faith Through Action] in Lawrence, KS & KC,MO + as an unstaffed missionary-pastor residing for over 900 days at the Lawrence Community Shelter has been remarkably facilitated by the Heart of Deacon Deborah as well as her counsel. She and I spoke + prayed together many times over the phone; esp. the last 3 months of her life on Earth. Her lead at Trinity Episcopal & their benevolent Fund paid single mom’s water bills,bought bus tickets, paid for medicine, gave Walmart gift cards for needed items, Dillons gift cards for food, etc to help this particular ministry among others. Her creedo was the loving tolerance of JESUS CHRIST.. and justice for all in circumspect thought, intentions and active application. The name Deborah means “Bee” in the hebrew language.. and Deacon Deborah was a busy bee for serving her church, the community, her family and GOD. Personally, I’m devastated and shocked by our sudden loss. Prayers for her husband Garth, daughter, and sister who were in the house as her “nurses” when we last chatted. She was a delight. So interesting.. and deep in HOLY SPIRITEDness. I adored listening to her talk about her recent sojourn to Africa. And such great wisdom. She is & will be as much of a gift to Heaven’s Eternity as she was to all who knew her.. esp those who ministered alongside her. Thank You, LORD,for Deacon Deborah Burns. Amen. *Love, pastor michael; missionary-pastor; Lawrence, KS
Deacon Deborah was a force of love, intelligence, compassion, courage, integrity, Faith, and Light. The outreach ministry that I pastor [Faith Through Action] in Lawrence, KS & KC,MO + as an unstaffed missionary-pastor residing for over 900 days at the Lawrence Community Shelter has been remarkably facilitated by the Heart of Deacon Deborah as well as her counsel. She and I spoke + prayed together many times over the phone; esp. the last 3 months of her life on Earth. Her lead at Trinity Episcopal & their benevolent Fund paid single mom’s water bills,bought bus tickets, paid for medicine, gave Walmart gift cards for needed items, Dillons gift cards for food, etc to help this particular ministry among others. Her creedo was the loving tolerance of JESUS CHRIST.. and justice for all in circumspect thought, intentions and active application. The name Deborah means “Bee” in the hebrew language.. and Deacon Deborah was a busy bee for serving her church, the community, her family and GOD. Personally, I’m devastated and shocked by our sudden loss. Prayers for her husband Garth, daughter, and sister who were in the house as her “nurses” when we last chatted. She was a delight. So interesting.. and deep in HOLY SPIRITEDness. I adored listening to her talk about her recent sojourn to Africa. And such great wisdom. She is & will be as much of a gift to Heaven’s Eternity as she was to all who knew her.. esp those who ministered alongside her. Thank You, LORD,for Deacon Deborah Burns. Amen. *Love, pastor michael; missionary-pastor; Lawrence, KS