Obituaries

Janice Burns

Date of Death: August 31, 2022
Viewing/Service

A celebration of her life will take place at Rhome Funeral Home 1209 Grand Blvd, Monessen PA 15062 on Thursday September 8, 2022 at 11am. Burial will follow at Monongahela Cemetery with a reception at Mon Valley Country Club from 1-3pm. Friends will be received from 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Wednesday September 7th at Rhome Funeral Home.

Janice Burns of Champion Pennsylvania, formerly Donora died Tuesday, August 31, 2022 at the age of 79. She was the daughter of Thomas Walter and Mary Kelly and was born on August 31, 1943 in Donora. She was preceded in death by her loving husband and soul mate of 50 years, Stephen E. Burns. Loved by so many, Janice will be deeply missed by her family and friends. A loving and devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend who has touched so many lives, Janice’s legacy lives on through her loved ones, who will always love and cherish her dearly. 

She graduated from Donora High School in 1961, where she was a cheerleader. She graduated from California University of Pennsylvania (California State Teachers College) with a bachelor’s degree of science in education. Janice was a speech language pathologist at the Pittsburgh Allegheny Intermediate Unit for 35 years. 

Janice was an avid skier for 50 years. Janice and her husband Steve were a well-known presence in the Seven Springs community.  She was a ski instructor at Seven Springs and taught many students, friends and family how to ski, passing on her love of skiing to so many people. She was certified with the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). She and Stephen were responsible for training many ski instructors through the Learn To Be A Ski Instructor Program giving them a love of teaching skiing! She was an active member of the Mon Valley Ski Club. She held many offices; she was most noted for being membership chairman and an anonymous stalwart behind the scenes leader of the club. She was a devoted Pitt fan and season ticket holder for over 50 years and was a member of the Golden Panthers. Janice and Steve were former members of Mon Valley Country Club. 

Janice is survived by her brothers, Robert Kelly of Upper St. Clair and Tom Kelly and wife Maggi of Ponte Vedra Florida; brother-in-law Edward Burns and wife, Ginny of Monessen and sister-in-law Kathy Burns of Cazenovia NY; Nieces and nephews, Raymond Olexa, wife, Nicole and children, Grace and Rae, of Steamboat Springs, CO; Rosemary Vatakis and children, Alexa, Dana and Jackson, of Monesseen; Nick Vatakis, of Monessen; Jimmy Burns, of Monessen; Jill (Burns) Allen, husband Michael, and children, Rachel and Hannah of California; Jacqueline Mascotti and children, Martina, Mary and Jenevra, of California; Steven Burns, wife Lisa, and children, Kaitlyn and Michael of California; Amy Kelly Golden, husband Paul and children Michael, Luke and Jack of Riverside, CT; Thomas Kelly (T.K.), wife Cynthia and children, Millie, Brooke and Tommy of Highlands Ranch CO; Christian Kelly, of Pittsburgh and Mariah Kelly of Pittsburgh. Niece Jennifer Burns Mauro and husband Tony and their children Anthony and Angelo of Monessen. She was so appreciative of the special friends and relatives who were there for her for all the caring, kindness and love with a special thank you to Jane and Russ Stull, Barb and Bob Howe and her nurses and caregivers at Excela Health. 

Janice will be remembered for her warmth, caring, thoughtfulness and generosity, always making people smile with kind words, great stories and her shining personality. She lived her life with grace and love. She was a true caregiver and impacted the lives of so many people—making everything she did, every place she went and everything she touched better.