Diane Elizabeth Peterson Burns

away unexpectedly at Cape Cod Hospital on June 20, surrounded by her five children.

Diane was born on November 22, 1943 at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Boston, MA to

Gordon and Virginia (Doucett) Peterson. A graduate of Wantagh High School, she

completed her LPN at Catherine Labouré College of Nursing in May 1964. Diane

married Frank Burns the following August, and the two began their new life in St.

Petersburg, FL. Here Diane became a faithful member of St. Paul Catholic Church

and school for 47 years, sang alto in the choir for 37 years, and was part of the

Columbiette sisterhood. She was a compassionate nurse for 20 years and a dedicated

teacher’s assistant to students with developmental disabilities for the past 16 years at

Meadowlawn Middle School. She went above and beyond not only in her professional

life, but also her personal life. Diane was a loving, devoted, and generous daughter,

sister, wife, mommy, nana, and friend. She had a genuine love for life and shared it

with the many lives she touched—a true example of unconditional love and strength.

Words fail to express the loss her family and friends have experienced with her sudden

passing.

Diane is survived by her brothers, Gordon and Chris, sister-in-law Diana and her cousin

Carol, her nieces and nephews, her beautiful grandchildren, Kalleen and Janelle, and

her five eclectic children, Kathy, Michael, Isabelle, Patrick, and Mary.

Funeral mass to be held at a later date at St. Paul Catholic Church in St. Petersburg,FL.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you send donations in her memory to:

Special Olympics Florida, Inc

1915 Don Wickham Dr

Clermont, FL 34711

www.specialolympicsflorida.org

Pinellas County Humane Society

3040 State Road 590

Clearwater, FL 33759

www.humanesocietyofpinellas.org