Catherine M. Burns

Today we say goodbye to Cathie, our beloved Sister and Aunt. Cathie lived her life with great strength and with a fierce independence. Cathie was born in Albany on November 16, 1944, to the late George and Elizabeth (McLean) White. She is survived by her brothers and sisters: Roy (Norene), Betty Gregory (Ed), Mary Ann Sanzen (Bob), George (Valerie), Barbara White-Diefendorf (Mark), Jim (Judy), Tom, and John (Christine); and is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their children (of which only Cathie was able to keep track of). Cathie’s greatest joy was to spend time with her many nieces and nephews, and, as each came along, grandnieces and grandnephews. She is, and always will be, warmly remembered as the loving and wonderful Aunt Cathie, the greatest Aunt in the Universe. Cathie’s devotion to the care and well-being of children was always foremost in everything she did. As a young child, Cathie participated in the first televised fund drive for the Albany Cerebral Palsy Center. After graduation from Mercy High School in 1963, Cathie continued her life’s dedication to the joy and love of children by training and working as a child-care technician at St. Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany from 1963-1970. She then moved on to join the NYS Police Pistol Permit Section from where she retired after 38 years of service. While Cathie had many physical challenges throughout her lifetime, she met each with courage, dignity, grace, and an abundance of humor. Cathie enjoyed traveling, watching Siena Basketball and ValleyCats Baseball with her very best friend Jerry, gathering with friends and family for Holiday dinners and an occasional outing. She particularly enjoyed vacationing on Cape Cod. Cathie wanted to let everyone know of the unbridled love she held for her family, her friends, her Catholic Faith, and her special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Cathie wished to stay in her home for as long as possible. As her health began to fail, family helped her to remain at home for a few months. In particular, two of her nieces; Jessica Tabakian and Molly White, through their personal devotion to their aunt, provided daily care and ensured that Cathie was able to fulfill her wishes to stay at home. On behalf of our family and Cathie, we would like to offer our most sincere gratitude to the staff and management at Daughter’s of Sarah Nursing Center for the kindness and consummate professionalism in their care of our dear sister Cathie. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning 10:30 at Blessed Sacrament Church. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the Magin & Keegan Funeral Home, 891 Madison Ave., Saturday morning after 8:30 am. Interment St. Agnes Cemetery.

Catherine M. Burns

November 16, 1944 - August 16, 2023