Obituary of Sister M. Karen Burns

Sister M.Karen Burns, OSF of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany died September 26, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. Born Dorothy Marie Burns on November 4, 1931 in Utica, NY., she was a daughter of Margaret Mangan Burns and James Burns formerly of Utica, NY. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1949, and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1956. Sister Karen lived the Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany through a variety of ministries. From 1950 until 1970 she taught in Christ the King School, Haddonfield, NJ; St. Pius X School, Delevan, NY; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Mapiri, Bolvia; and Corpus Christi School, Miami, FL. While teaching Conversational Spanish at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse from 1962 through 1965 Sister Karen was also Assistant Vocation Director. In 1970 she was named director of St. Elizabeth Mission Society and maintained and developed the support of the missionary endeavors of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany for the next 14 years. In 1984 Sister was named Executive President of Allegany Health Systems Foundation. Beginning in 1991 she used her expertise in development and fundraising as Development Director for the Academy of Hospice Physicians, Pinellas Park, FL. In 1994 through 1995 Sister Karen served as Planned Gifts Officer for St. Anthony's Health Care Foundation, St. Petersburg, FL, and then as Auxiliary Services Manager. Sister Karen retired from active ministry in 2007, She then volunteered at the Gift Shop at St. Anthony's Hospital, and served as spiritual Assistant for the local Secular Franciscan Order. Sister joined the community at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY in 2008 where she continued her life long mission of living the Gospel as a Franciscan Sister of Allegany. Sister received her B.S. in Education and M.S. in Education from St. Bonaventure University. Sister was predeceased by her parents and sister, Lois Murphy and brother, Robert Burns. In addition to her Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, Sr. Karen is survived by her brother, William Burns and nieces and nephews. A Wake Service is scheduled on Sunday, September 28, 2008, at 7:00 P.M. at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse at 10:30 A.M., Monday, September 29, 2008. Interment will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, New York. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.