Anne’s House - Hadley Community

Meet Anne

Anne Burns’ journey was defined by quiet strength and resilience. A bright student with a passion for teaching, she instead followed her mother’s wishes and became a nurse, graduating from St. Mary’s School of Nursing. Shortly after, she experienced a nervous breakdown—at a time when mental illness was deeply stigmatized and often hidden within families.

Anne persevered. She returned to work, married, and had two sons. But with an absent husband and the weight of single motherhood, she faced a second breakdown and had to leave nursing behind. Determined to move forward, she sought help and found a new path in teaching at Châteauguay Regional High School.

Life demanded more from Anne. Long commutes and constant responsibilities took their toll, yet she pressed on. Eventually, she made a bold career change, joining the pulp and paper industry, where she rose to become head of medical services, an impressive achievement in a male-dominated field.

Anne’s greatest test came later in life when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. True to her nature, she fought bravely until her passing on March 11, 2011. Her strength and compassion never wavered.

Her brother, Robin Burns, then on The Hadley Community’s Board of Directors, proposed a residence for women in her honour. Anne’s House now stands as a testament to her legacy. A place of support, dignity, and renewal.