Christy Lee Burns, PhD, passed from this life on Nov. 28, 2023 at Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville, Texas. She was 61.

Christy was born April 28, 1962 in Pasadena, Texas to William F. Burns Jr. and Jean Harker Burns. Her early childhood was spent in Houston. In 1969, the family moved to Laredo, Texas. She attended United High School in Laredo, where she excelled in extracurricular activities, particularly the University Interscholastic League Debate Team and One Act Play competition. Christy graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1980. She received a scholarship to Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., where she thrived and cultivated many enduring friendships. Christy graduated in May 1984 with a B.A. in English Literature.

After her graduation, Christy moved to Boston where she worked for the nonprofit Educators for Social Responsibility. In 1992 she obtained a PhD in Comparative Literature from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. That led her to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg Virginia where she taught courses in Literary Studies, Cultural Studies and Film for 26 years. She became a tenured Associate Professor of English in 1998 and served as director of Women's Studies from 2008 to 2011. She published the book ''Gestural Politics: Stereotype and Parody in Joyce'' in 2000 as well as over 20 articles and book reviews in academic journals. Her scholarship was deeply informed by deconstructionist and phenomenological philosophical traditions, film and feminist theory. Her publications reflect her wide-ranging interests in modern and contemporary literature and film, from career-long work on James Joyce to the films of Andrei Tarkovsky, from the poetry of Irish poet Eavan Boland to the TV series The X-Files among many others. Her work was incisive and astute, opening up new understandings of the subject at hand in a beautifully-honed prose.

Christy made her home in Richmond, Virginia. She became a Quaker after finding her spiritual home at the Richmond Friends Meeting. She took nature walks in Richmond's parks and was an enthusiastic birder who could identify birds by their calls alone.

Her teaching career ended in 2018 when, at age 56, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. Christy continued writing, gardening, birding and finding new friends in retirement. Her quirky humor and infectious smiles still brightened the room even as her memories faded. In April 2022 she moved back to her home state to live with family in Kerrville.

Christy loved cats, birds, people and life. She adored teaching and cared deeply for her students. She was fond of opera and modern art, gourmet food and beautiful clothes, dinner parties and time spent in the company of friends.

She is survived by her sisters Kathryn and Carrie Burns and her father William F. Burns, Jr. of Kerrville; her companion John Allen Hill of Richmond Virginia; and many dearly beloved friends, colleagues and former students.
Her family and friends held an online celebration of her life on January 13, 2024. Her absence is deeply felt.

Christy was cremated by Grimes Funeral Chapels. Condolences may be sent at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com.

The family requests no flowers.

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