Retired Firefighter Honors Late Wife With Huge Near North Mural Our Forever Garden

A new mural by Chicago artist Ryan Tova Katz, commissioned by Larry Burns, honors his late wife, Patricia “Pat” Burns, on the Near North Side. Inspired by Katz’s previous work, the mural features yellow flowers and a butterfly, which Katz interpreted as a sign from Pat. Larry Burns, now 93, views the mural as a soothing tribute and a legacy for his family in the neighborhood where they have lived for decades. Their love story spans over sixty years, beginning when they met while working at Automatic Electric in the 1960s. Pat’s legacy includes securing the Near North Branch Library, a vital community resource she advocated for in the late 1990s.

The mural captures the essence of their shared life, with Larry expressing that it opens a door to fresh inspiration amid grief. Friends, including Jeneva Taylor, who cared for Pat in her final months, plan a memorial service to celebrate both Pat's life and the mural's completion. Katz, who has painted over 30 murals in her career, connected deeply with the couple's story, aligning with her artistic mission of hope.