(07/25/12) BURNS, Anne M., 91, formerly of Sheila Lane., Smithfield, a former teacher in the Thornton School in Johnston; the John Howland and Robert F. Kennedy Schools in Providence and a certified nursing assistant at Rhode Island Hospital passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at the Steere House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Providence, a daughter of the late James and Annie (Hagan) Burns. She lived in Providence and North Providence before moving to Smithfield in 1976.
Miss Burns received her bachelor’s degree from Providence College, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Rhode Island College and a Certificate of Qualified Nursing Assistant from the R.I. State Department of Education.
She was secretary of the Democratic delegation to the 1980 convention in New York and the subject of a BBC film while there. An article of hers on the convention appeared on the OpEd page of the New York Times and she has been mentioned in several editions of Who’s Who of American Women.
She was a member of the Providence Teacher’s Union; the American Federation of Teachers; Hamilton House; the Irish Cultural Association of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Irish Historical/ Genealogical Society of which she was a founding member and served in the offices of president, vice president and secretary over a period of many years. While president, she organized the 150th anniversary concert and mass in memory of the victims of the Great Irish Famine held in the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul in Providence in 1995. She was also an officer of the Rhode Island Irish Famine Memorial Committee which is responsible for erecting a memorial to the victims of the Great Irish Famine at Heritage Harbor in Providence.
She is survived by three nephews, Kenneth Iavarone and his wife Barbara and Lawrence Iavarone, NPFD (Ret.) and his wife Carolyn, both of North Providence and Stephen Iavarone of Cumberland; three grandnephews, Kenny, Michael and Timmy Iavarone and two grandnieces, Kimberly and Kristina Iavarone. She was the sister of the late Eleanor Iavarone, James and John Burns and great-aunt of the late Matthew Iavarone.
Her funeral will be held Saturday, July, 28, 2012, at 9 am from the JAMES J. GALLOGLY & SONS Funeral Home, 671 Broad St., Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am in the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul, Cathedral Square, Providence. Interment will follow in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket. Visiting hours Friday 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers contribution to the Cluny Missions, c/o Cluny Sisters, P.O. Box 66, Newport, RI 02840 or the Steere House Activities Fund, 100 Borden St., Providence, RI 02903 in her memory would be appreciated. Information and condolences, please visit: www.galloglyfuneralhome.com
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