Leona Burke Divanna

Leona Burke DiVanna, 88, of South Abington Township, died February 24 ^th , 2021 at home after an illness. She is survived by Joseph A. DiVanna, her loving husband of almost 20 years.

Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Leona Yeager Burke.  She was educated in Scranton public schools, attended Temple University, and graduated from Marywood College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a Masters degree in Education. Before retirement, she was a teacher in the Scranton School District. Leona was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Women's Guild and other church organizations, the Scranton Federation of Teachers, Scranton and Pennsylvania Education Association, Scranton Women Teachers' Club, PSERS, and the Abington Women's Club.

Leona enjoyed working in the garden and sewing. She dearly loved her children and would do anything for them.  She was also loved deeply by Joe.  They enjoyed their time together and traveled extensively all through the United States and Europe, spending their winters in Florida.

In addition to  her husband, she is survived by her eight children: Christine Francisco, James Burnside, David Burnside, Kathryn Knepp, John Burnside, Carol Slaff, Barbara Perash, and Arthur Burnside; eighteen grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; a brother, Joseph Burke; a sister, Nancy Trovato; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Burnside, and second husband Robert F. Walsh.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Leona's caregiver, Dawn Hood, for the compassionate care she provided the past eight years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Church by Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn, pastor. Interment to follow at Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

Friends may call on Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.