Margaret "Peg" (Nyland) Burns

Margaret (“Peg”) Burns, age 91, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was the devoted wife of Joseph Burns, with whom she shared 55 happy years of marriage.

Peg was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John and Margaret Nyland. She was a proud graduate of West Catholic High School. Her first job was with Bell Telephone in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, she met and married Joe, and together they made their home in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Peg and Joe were founding members of Saints Philip and James  Catholic Church. Each Sunday, they could be found sitting in the first pew with their five daughters, a familiar and cherished sight within the parish.

A bookkeeper by trade, Peg worked closely alongside Joe as a co-owner of Burger King and later Joe Burns Beverages, contributing greatly to their family businesses. Working was important to her but her biggest commitment was her family and her faith.

Peg had a creative and generous spirit. She spent countless hours sewing beautiful quilts for family, friends, and veterans—each one a gift of love. She also treasured time spent fishing with Joe on the beaches of South Carolina and New Jersey, as well as taking long walks hand in hand along those same shores.

Peg is lovingly remembered by her five daughters: Peg Wimer(Chuck), Pat Burns, Mary Zimbro (Keith), Rose Cordaro (Nick), and Beth Ulrich (Steve); and by her beloved granddaughter, Kaitlyn Ulrich.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Burns; her parents; and her two sisters, Nancy Smith and Terry Mullen.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Peg's name to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. This was a hospital very near and dear to her heart.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Saints Philip and James Catholic Church, 723 East Lincoln Highway, Exton, Pennsylvania, at 11:00 am. Friends may visit with the family at the church from 10:00 am to 10:45 am prior to the service.

Interment will follow at Saint Agnes Cemetery in West Chester, Pennsylvania