Nella Burns

Nella Burns, 65, of Rockford, died peacefully at 8:10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2008, in her home after a courageous battle with cancer.  Born on June 5, 1942, in Malecz-Pruzana, Poland, the daughter of Pawel and Olga (Wasilewska) Zeludko. Pawl died in WWII and Olga re-married and her new last name became Zeltins. Later Olga married Mick Arjan, to whom she was married to for many years. A concentration camp survivor, her mother and herself were displaced persons and arrived in Melbourne, Australia on the General Black on June 25, 1949. Nella grew up in Melbourne. She graduated from Vaucluse College, was a member of the Australian Air League, and played the piano accordion. In 1960 she met a Navy man, corresponded, relocated to the U.S.A. and in 1962 was married to Donald P. Burns for 28 years. Her devotion to her mom brought her back to Melbourne in 1996 to care for her. After 9 years, Nella returned to Rockford in 2005, and lived with her daughter and son-in-law. She was employed at Lungholm Surgical Group, Rockford Clinic, and the Rriverside Medical Clinic. Nellas passion was knitting and she also enjoyed search-a-words and reading. Nella delighted in wrestling with her boys and whipped them every time.  Audra and John want to give special thanks to Dr. Kent Hoshkins, the staff at OSF Center for Cancer Care, and OSF Hospice. Special thanks to Wendy Slick-Davidson and all Nellas chums at Unique Yarns. She is survived by her daughter, Audra (John) Dusek of Rockford; son, Shawn (Andrea) Burns of Rockford; grandchildren, Connor and Alex Burns, a granddaughter to be born this fall; sister-in-law, Helen Burns of Rockford. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM , Friday, May 30, 2008, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Av. Rockford, IL 61103 with Rev. William R. Wentink officiating.  Visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Thursday and from 9:00am until service time on Friday at the funeral home. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date. To extend condolences to the family, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.