Sister Dorothy Burns

Burns, Sister Dorothy

Sister Dorothy Burns, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, NY, died on October 31, 2011 in New York University Hospital in Manhattan, NY. Born in New York City on April 30, 1926, Dorothy was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Cullen Burns. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1945 and became known as Sister Elizabeth James. She professed her first vows in 1947 and her final vows in 1952. Sister earned a B.S. in Education from Fordham University, NY and MA in History from Manhattan College, NY. Throughout her professioinal life, Sister Dorothy ministered in the Archdiocese of New York. She taught in the Bronx at St. John Chrysostom, (1947-56); St. Ann (1956-65); and Aquinas HS (1965-72). From 1972-73, Sister Dorothy worked at Project Find in NY, was director of seniors at Immaculate Conception Parish in NY from 1973-74 and worked for Catholic Charities in the Office for Disabled Persons from 1974-87. For 16 years, she worked at Encore 49 as a Case Manager and then as Director of the Shop and Escort Services. For many summers, sister was Director at Camp Carroll, a program for disabled children and adults. She also served as an Eucharistic Minister at Hospital for Special Surgery and New York Presbyterian Hospital right up until her untimely death this past Monday.

Sister Dorothy is predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and James Burns; her brother and sisters, Evelyn Lynch, Richard Burns and Ruth Nardone. She is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation is on Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Convent, 175 Rte. 340, Sparkill, NY. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Sparkill. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, send donations to Dominican Sisters, at the above address, attention Sister Mary Murray, President.