Ada Ruth Burrows

Ada Ruth (affectionately known as Gagak to her grandchildren) passed away peacefully on June 21, 2020 surrounded by the great love and warmth of her family in Merriam, KS. Ruth was born May 27, 1937 in Kansas City, KS. She was adopted at two months of age by her wonderful parents, Cyrus Ralph & Beatrice Townsley. She was raised on their family farm in Bronson, Kansas. She often spoke of the farm with great fondness when sharing some of her happiest memories from that time in her life. She met DeVaughn Burrows in their home town of Bronson and soon married on December 31, 1955. They were later blessed with three children, Mark Alan Burrows, Kimberly Ann Cohen & Lisa Noelle Lamons. Ruth attended Bronson High School where the highlight of her high school years was playing basketball. She lettered in basketball three of her high school years. After graduation she attended Clark Business School in Topeka, KS. She went on to work for Western Insurance & Sinclair Refining Co. until she had her first child. She later resumed work outside of the home for the Shawnee Mission School District from 1980 to 1994, working at the local grade school, Rushton Elementary, where her three children attended school. She chose to stay at home with her children after the birth of her first child. She was very involved with her children’s activities which included: PTA, Room Mother, Boy Scout Den Leader, and Girl Scout Leader. You could always count on her to bake cookies and cakes for special events and birthdays. She was very organized; so much so that she jotted down daily events and special moments in her life as well as those special to her on a calendar up to recently before her passing. She always decorated for every holiday with such wonderful decorations and items she made. She loved every holiday. They all hold very special memories with her. She became a Grandma in 1983 and at that time was renamed Gagak by her first grandson, Dane. The loving memories that the grandkids have of Gagak are numerous. A few of their favorites include when she would let them stay up late with her after Papa went to bed. She would cross stitch, talk and laugh with them. She had a way of making everything she did seem so special. It could be as simple as cutting the “yucky” crust off your PB&J and buying you your favorite cheese puffs to letting you watch Winnie the Pooh. As she shared with her family, she "loved that old bear". Their home was always such a comfy and safe place to grow up with her favorite artist, Mary Engelbreit’s work throughout. Gagak would sit at their dining table and teach her youngest granddaughter how to draw from her art. She took us on many outings with her were to the grocery store where every grandchild knew to hold onto the cart while they shopped. There were many trips to Mcdonalds as well where Happy Meals were bought to collect the toys, especially the beanie babies. She put special toys in each grandchild’s box with their names decorated on them and would make sure to have a dish full of candy when you stopped by for a visit. She was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gagak was the best grandma any kid could ask for with her constant support and unconditional love. You would never leave their house without a hug and “love you, be safe.” Ruth truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. You could find her reading books, sewing, solving puzzles, taking care of her flower gardens, her daily journaling or tuning into Price is Right at 10 a.m. sharp. Ruth had a special way of making others feel seen and known. She was always there to listen and comfort us with a smile and some words of wisdom. She was a simple yet very creative woman that took the time to make sure that each and every gift/card she gave to us was unique to us. She handmade everything from embroidered dish towels and pillows to holiday wreaths. Her love was like no other and our lives will never be the same without her physical presence but we will continue to treasure all of our special memories she gave us. In 2013, Ruth was able to connect with one of her biological sisters, Paula Phillips after years of searching. This reunion brought her so much joy and meant so much to her. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Cyrus Ralph & Beatrice Townsley, her daughter Kimberly Burrows Cohen, her grandson Tyler Scott Burrows, brother Cyrus Omar Townsley. She leaves behind her loving husband of 64 years, DeVaughn. Her son Mark and wife Laura of Lenexa, KS, daughter Lisa and husband Scott Shawnee, KS. 6 grandchildren, Dane Cohen and wife Cassie Topeka, KS, Emily Burrows and husband Jason of Olathe, KS, Seth Cohen and wife Paige of Shawnee, KS, Beau “Brahms” Cohen and wife Chelsea of Dallas, TX, Max Lamons of Shawnee, KS and Madeline Lamons and Grant Stewart of Shawnee, KS. Six great grandchildren, Sulliven Cohen, Noah Fenton, Quinn Burrows, Greyson & Hudson Cohen and Sedona Stewart-Lamons. Her sister Paula Phillips Joplin, MO. A host of nieces, nephews and other family members and friends. Also, all of her special grand dogs. Cremation memorial to Childrens Mercy Hospital. Due to the COVID crisis the family is having a small get together to celebrate Ruth’s life at a later date.

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Ada Ruth Burrows

May 27, 1937 - June 21, 2020