Santa M. "Sandi" Burne

Santa M. “Sandi” Burne, 73, Dunmore, died early Sunday at home after an illness. She and her beloved husband, Francis Burne, were married July 8, 1967.

Born in Scranton, daughter of Marie Bonavoglia Donnini of Dunmore and the late Fred A. Donnini; she was a graduate of Penn State University earning her degree in human development and family studies. She carried many job titles, but most memorable was that of a dancer in an Italian dance group, mediator for children and family services, and customer service representative for Burne Honda. She was well recognized over the phone by her clients at Burne Honda for her velvety baritone voice and her excellent customer care. She had a fiery personality, strong and self-assured.

Sandi was the epitome of love, whether it be as a ferocious advocate for those she loved, as a spunky “Betty Boop,” or as a true animal lover. She eventually earned the nickname “Snow White” for her attraction to animals as she walked along Lake Scranton. Birds and squirrels ran to her and ate peanuts from her hands. She loved spending time in her backyard beautifying her garden, enjoying “her” birds, cherry blossoms and watching her husband, grandchildren, nieces and nephews swim in their pool.

Sandi was a matriarch in every sense of the word as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She showed great care for her home, keeping it meticulous and she took pride in her fantastic culinary skills, turning her talent into a pizza making business. She was proud of her Italian heritage, embracing Italian traditions and celebrating her wildly curly raven hair, olive skin tone and her charming Italian namesake, Santa.

She will be most remembered as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and remembered for her famous signature lipstick mark “the kiss of Sandi” that she left on everyone as a token of her presence. She loved deeply and was deeply loved. We will miss all her glory.

In addition to her beloved husband, she is survived by their daughters Lisa Stella of CA, and Leslie Keating and husband Steve of CT; grandchildren Stephen and Matthew Keating of CT, and Lily Stella of CA; her sisters Judy DePietro and Rosemary Ciaglia and husband Rick, all of Dunmore; her brother Fred Donnini and wife Theresa of Lake Ariel; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter Michelle Burne; her sister Donna Gianzanti; her nephew Frank DePietro, niece Britani Ciaglia and brothers-in-law Thomas “Chick” DePietro and Paul “Ellie” Gianzanti as well as her many beloved pets.

A funeral service will be held Friday, February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. in the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. 

Family and friends may pay their respects from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Santa M. "Sandi" Burne, please visit our floral store.