Obituary of Dorothy M. Burns

On February 23, 2026, God welcomed another beautiful angel to heaven. Dorothy Marie (Wojtanowska) Burns was a devout woman with special devotions to the Blessed Mother, Padri Pio, and St. Martin de Porres. Mom lived her faith daily in her interactions with people and always had a kind word for everyone she came in contact with. She was a bright light in this world. 

Mom grew up in West Utica, the daughter of Polish immigrants, in a bilingual family and attended Holy Trinity School and U.F.A. Mom loved to read and was a frequent visitor to the Utica Public Library. She loved to dance and her bubbly personality made her dance card always full. On October 9, 1954 she married the one love of her life, Vinnie, a handsome young  Irish man from Clinton. She loved living in Clinton and held many jobs, sharing her outgoing personality, quick wit, and positive, faith-filled wisdom. She charmed the “rough boys” on the school playground as a monitor, and counseled many Hamilton College students who made the long trek down the hill just to talk to her about their problems at the Cosmetic Center at Brooks Drugs on the Park Row. Mom was a great mother to my sister Kathleen and I, and always put us first, making our meager life seem as if we were rich. Mom’s children were complete when I brought Tom home 47 years ago, and he became her “son” and she his mother.

One of Mom’s greatest pleasures in life was sitting around the big table at holidays, eating Polish food, playing Bingo, and “staring and taking in” the beauty of her beloved grandchildren who adored their Grammy from the time they were born. On their part, one of their greatest memories will always be the sleepovers at Grammy’s, watching Babe while eating popcorn and dancing around the living room to the farmer’s song. 

Mom leaves behind her devoted children Mary, Tom, and Kathleen (Wayne), and adoring grandchildren Elizabeth (Steve), Sarah (Bill), Tommy (Ashley), Abby (Jordan), Dan (Erin), Patrick (JodiLynn), Maureen (Greg), and Michael (Jordan.) 

We carry Mom in our hearts and souls; the solid core, the strong Eastern European upbringing, the sense of justice and non-judgmental thinking, the inclusion of all people, the strong spirituality and seeing God in people and nature, the sense of humor, love of music, and empathy, kindness, and respect. This being said, we ask that if you would like to remember her in any way, please carry on her legacy in these ways and treat each and every person just as she would. Till we meet again, Mama.

Private services will be held for the family. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery in Clinton.