Diane E. Burns, resident of Mathews, died in Gloucester, Va., on September 27, 2023, after a short and hard-fought battle with non-small cell carcinoma.

Mrs. Burns was born in Newport News, Virginia, on January 24, 1943. Nothing gave Mrs. Burns more joy than giving to others. She never gave reluctantly or under compulsion. She gave from the heart. She was a cheerful giver. Through her generosity she refreshed the spirit of others. Mrs. Burns will be missed most for her generosity, love of others, and gentle spirit.

In her free time, Mrs. Burns enjoyed traveling, completing puzzles, shopping with her children and grandchildren, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends. In addition to these activities, Mrs. Burns enjoyed her daily regimen of Dr. Pepper and butterscotch candies. Mrs. Burns lived a long and happy life and she was a loving and devoted spouse and mother.

Survivors include her son, Michael Burns of Gloucester and fiancée Katrina Moss; her daughter, Lisa Burns Brown and her husband Michael; her son, Travis Burns and his wife Kelly of Kilmarnock; her daughter, Donna Upton and her husband Bill of Raleigh, N.C.; her siblings, Linda Wood and her husband B.T. of Emerald Isle, N.C., Jane “Sissie” Novak of La Plata, Missouri, Goldie Guerra of Burton, Michigan, James Doyle of La Porte, Texas, Sharon Grathoff of Burton, Michigan, Jack Peacock of Flint, Michigan, Bruce Deitz of Flint, Michigan; nine grandchildren, Steve, Stuart, Erika, Courtney, Lindsey, Chandler, Carson, Ashton and Ava, and special friends, Jane and Don Harmon of Mathews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lt. Col. Danny A. Burns. Mrs. Burns will be buried with her husband in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Chondrosarcoma CS Foundation, 12504 Quarterhorse Drive, Bowie, Md. 20720.

Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, Va., is in charge of arrangements.