Barbara Ann Burns

Barbara Ann Burns

Barbara Ann Burns passed away peacefully in Allegheny General Hospital on November 5th with her 3 sisters by her side.

Barbara was born on December 3, 1948. She was a life-long resident of the North Side in Pittsburgh, PA and a graduate of Allegheny High School in 1966. She received her B.A., Communications from Chatham College in 1982.

Barbara was a life long Democrat from the North Side of Pittsburgh, PA where she was an advocate for over 45 years in many roles. She was president of the Pittsburgh Board of Education and then became the first women from Pittsburgh to become a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1994. She was elected to the Pittsburgh City Council and served from 2000 to 2004.

Barbara was a past President of the East Allegheny Community Council and actively served till her passing. One thing that gave her great pride was establishing the Annual Pumpkinfest, held in East Park on the North Side of Pittsburgh. It is a children’s harvest festival which has been held for 31 years and will continue on into the future. She has always played a significant role in helping to develop the East Ohio Street area, known as Deutschtown, where she was a merchant herself. She was the owner/operator of SweetTime Café, a giftshop and opened the Gathering Place, next to her store, to accommodate parties and meetings. Barbara loved serving the community around her.

She was the daughter of Howard S Burns Sr. and Alice K Burns both deceased. She is survived by her siblings Patrica (Burns) Madia (McCandless Twp), Howard Burns Jr., Nancy Burns and Dorothy Burns all from the Northside.

She had two nieces Erica (Madia) Rupert (Cranberry Twp.) and Allison Madia (Bossier City, LA) and two nephews Brian Madia (Fairfield, CT) and Keith Madia (LaVerkin, UT). And she has five great-nephews and three great-nieces who she spoiled over the years. Aunt Barbara is very special to all of them.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the East Allegheny Community Council (415 East Ohio Street, Suite 225 Pittsburgh,  PA   15212) toward the Pumpkinfest.

Family and friends received 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sunday at the Thomas P. Kunsak Funeral Home, Inc. 3552 California Avenue at Davis Avenue. Where a funeral service will be held Monday at 10:00 am. Interment to follow in Union Dale Cemetery Div. # 2