Frances Rucci Burns

The world lost a very special person on December 19, 2024. Frances "Fran" Rucci Burns was well loved and admired by all who knew her. After being born in New Jersey, Fran spent almost five decades in New York City, before embracing retirement at Smith Mountain Lake for 35 years, followed by 4 years at the beautiful Glebe Retirement Community in Daleville, Virginia.

Fran was a devoted mother to her two children, Amy Louise Burns (Donald Craig Prelesnik) and True Robert "Bob" Burns (Jeanette Reyes Burns.) Fran had a gift for numbers, earning membership in Mensa. She balanced her professional achievements in finance and accounting with her love for bowling, where she enthusiastically managed league statistics. She totally enjoyed playing Jeopardy, and loved all animals, especially horses, cats, & dogs. She was also a great cook, (which came naturally, being Italian), and fed everyone around her with lots of love & pasta.

She loved Smith Mountain Lake and was heavily involved with both the Newcomers Club and the SML Visitors Center at Bridgewater Plaza. She was a member at Resurrection Catholic Church and kept busy with events such as Joyous Junque, the Lakeside Singers, her WIN (women’s investing club), book clubs and her own version of the Red Hats, that she called The Scarlet Ladies. She had an artistic side, making jewelry, scarves, crocheted blankets and especially photography, capturing the spectacular sunsets from her SML lakefront home. A favorite memory of her, includes driving around the rolling hills of Smith Mountain Lake, listening to Andrea Bocelli, Il Volo, or other Italian music, feeling like she was in her own version of heaven on earth.

After the passing of her beloved husband of 56 years True "Bob" Burns Jr., Fran found joy again, with Joseph Richard (Dick) West. They shared 10 wonderful years together traveling the world and creating lasting memories. He will certainly miss her dearly.

She will also be missed by her two grandchildren, True Michael Burns and Isabella Burns Prelesnik, as well as her sister Mary Rucci Kane, and countless nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St Jude’s Hospital or a local animal rescue organization, reflecting Fran's love for children and animals.

Memorial services will be held for her in late January/mid February, with details to be posted here in the next few days.