Obituary of Diana L. Burns

Schenectady - Diana L. Burns passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital at Amsterdam, NY, surrounded by her loving family. Diana was born in Buffalo, NY, a twin daughter of the late John and Stephania Hawryluk. Diana was a recognized leader and very active in the Ukrainian Community. She enjoyed dancing in a Ukrainian folk dance group and was a counselor at summer camp where she played the guitar and taught children to sing and take part in summer musical concerts. Following her graduation from Mount Mercy High School and Daemen College she became the Director of Medical Records at St. Mary's Hospital at Amsterdam, directly out of college, and revamped the entire department making it one of the best in New York State. Later in her career she provided consulting services to CHP and Kaiser Permanente. Diana loved to sing, especially harmony, and was an exceptional alto in St. Matthew's Choir in Voorheesville, NY. With her tireless energy she directed Christmas Musicals to bring some joy and Christmas spirit to nursing home patients at the Teresian House, St. Peter's Nursing Home, Atria, and the homeless at Albany's City Mission. Diana courageously battled ovarian cancer for over 8 years. She joined Caring Together, Inc., an ovarian cancer support group in 2003 when she was first diagnosed and was soon on the Board of Directors leading their public relations efforts for their annual September Walk/ Run. She was instrumental in getting Liz Bishop, Lydia Kulbida, and Benita Zahn to emcee the event and helped put Caring Together, Inc. on the Map -- an organization that continues to raise funds for ovarian cancer research and acts as a resource for supporting ovarian cancer patients in the Capital District. Diana was a guest on Benita Zahn's HealthLink several times trying to get the word out and educate women about ovarian cancer. Diana is survived by her loving husband Bernard Burns; her loving step children; Colleen Burns of Minerva, Cheryl (Robert) Busick of New Hampshire; Kimberly Burns of Glens Falls; Courtney (Peter) Griffen of Pottersville, NY ; John (Joanne) Burns of Lake George, NY; her sisters Marta ( George) Shevchuck of Lakewood, NJ; Ulana her twin, (Dave) Pedersen of Seattle, WA and her brother Joseph (Judie) Hawryluk of Buffalo, NY; her eight beloved grandchildren and twelve nephews and nieces. Friends are invited to a Rite of Reception of Diana's body at St. Matthew's Church, 25 Mountainview St., Voorheesville at 4:00 o'clock Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Immediately following, the family will be receiving guests until 7:00 o'clock at which time there will be a Vigil of Prayer and Remembrance. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 o'clock Thursday morning at St. Matthew's Church and entombment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands. Memorial contributions in Diana's name in lieu of flowers can be made to St. Mary's Hospital at Amsterdam Foundation at 427 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam NY 12010 or Caring Together, Inc. P.O. Box 12383, Albany, NY 12212.