Condolences to Lincoln Chapter and Burns Davis' Family

I received word last week that the new Dean of the Lincoln (NE) Chapter, Burns Davis, passed away unexpectedly. I know you join me in keeping Burns' extended family, her church families, her musical families, and her AGO chapter family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Below is the obituary that appeared in the Lincoln newspaper today. Jan

Burns Smith Davis, 63, Lincoln, died unexpectedly at home Sept. 8, 2011. She was born Bonnie Jill Reimer to Barney J. and Martha Louise Smith Reimer on Nov. 13, 1947 in Enid, Okla. Burns later took her first and last names from beloved and influential piano teachers. She received a Bachelor of Music and, in 1972, a Master of Library Science from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

She held library jobs at the University of Arkansas, for the library system of Yakima, Wash., and Red Bluff, Calif. She earned an M.S. in Botany in Yakima. Burns was also a certified Nursing Home Administrator in Cupertino, Calif. where she was active with a ragtime piano group and Festival. In Los Gatos, Calif., she expanded her career to include Business Consulting and Design. Burns came to Lincoln to join the State Library Commission and developed Davis Business Systems.

In 1998, she attended the Myotherapy Institute to become a massage therapist and quickly became known for her gifted skills. Her business name, Ehaweh Arts, honored an Indian great grandmother known as a healer in Oklahoma.

Burns was an accomplished ragtime musician and presented annually at the Ragtime to Riches Festival in Omaha. She was substitute organist at St. Marks Episcopal, St. David's Episcopal, St. Paul's UMC, St. Pauls UCC, and was organist for a time at Trinity UMC. In 2000, she returned to the Central Christian Church in Enid, where she interned on the pipe organ while at Phillips U., and played a Fathers Day concert.

She was the current Dean of the Lincoln Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She studied with Mary Murrell Faulkner and at St. Cecelia's in Omaha with Marie Rubis Bauer on the Pasi organ. She was preparing an October concert on the pump organ at St. Pauls UMC. She sang in St. Marks on Campus choir and in the High Holy Days Choir at South Street Temple. She recently converted to Judaism and was a cantorial soloist.

Music and healing were at the core of Burns' life. She was a renaissance woman known for her wit, broad analytical intelligence, commitment to personal growth, support of many communities, dependability, kindness, love of animals and nature and all things refined and beautiful.

Survivors: sister, husband, Elaine and John Zook; nephew, wife, Jody and Louise Zook; a host of dear friends; animal companions, Simon and Peter. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her Shih-tzu companion, Ernie.

Public services: 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, South Street Temple. Memorials will be designated later. Arrangements: Roper and Sons. Condolences: www.roperandsons.com.