Loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother

MarieLouise (Diotallevi) Burns, 88, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 surrounded by her loving family at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY. Born in Rome, Italy she was the daughter of the late Renato and Elena (Porcelli) Diotallevi.


MarieLouise, who was affectionately known as Marisa, was educated in Italy and on July 5, 1947 married Calvin M. Burns in Rome, Italy. Shortly after they came to the United States and in 1948, they settled in Niagara Falls, NY where she has lived until the present time. Mr. Burns predeceased her on December 10, 1994. She was known for her cooking and was instrumental in helping with her family's business LaPalermo Restaurant and Pizzeria from 1980 until 2001. She was especially known her Mom's pizza and Suppli,. Marisa was also a gifted artist and accomplished poet. Her artwork was on display at Sisti Art Gallery, the Burchfield Penny Art Center at Buffalo State College and the Albright Knox Art Gallery all in Buffalo, NY. She also had her poetry appear in various publications including the Smithsonian Magazine. But her greatest pleasure was spending time with her family.


MarieLouise is survived by her three sons Ronald L. (Barbara) Burns of Buffalo, NY; Kevin M. (Rosemarie) Burns and Geoffrey F. (Mary Jo) Burns both of Niagara Falls, NY; seven grandchildren David Burns, Rebecca Burns, Jerome Burns, Sarah Burns, Maria Burns, Michael Burns and Rachelle Burns; one great granddaughter Elise; two brothers Goffredo (Stanislava) Diotallevi of Poland and Franco (Sylvia) Diotallevi of Germany and many nieces, nephews and cousins.


Visitation will be on Friday from 4 – 8 p.m. at the
M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday September 6th at 10 a.m. at Divine Mercy Church, 2437 Niagara Street, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Jacek Mazur officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. If desired memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 315 Alberta Drive, Suite 102, Amherst, NY 14226 or to Niagara Frontier Hospice Foundation, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.