Deann Elizabeth "Lizzy" (Mason) Burkey, 645 S. Keel Ridge Rd., Hermitage, passed away peacefully at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday (10-26-10) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after a courageous three year battle with breast cancer. She was 42.

Deann was born November 17, 1967 in Farrell a daughter of William "Harry" and Christine Smegal Mason.

She was a 1985 alumna of Kennedy Christian High School, Hermitage, and received a business degree from Kent State (Ohio) University.

Deann began a career in banking at Bank One in Aurora, Ohio where she was head teller. Moving back to the Shenango Valley in the mid 1990's, she has been employed at First National Bank in Hermitage for the past twelve years, initially as a teller and most recently as a pre-closing specialist in the small loan department.

She is a member of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell. Deann had a wide range of interests and was zealous in her deeds. Her most notable passion was her family. She was a wonderful mother to her son and a loving wife and daughter. Deann loved gardening, cooking and the music of U-2. She also enjoyed crafts, particularly cross-stitch, and worked for a short period at The Attic Treasure in Volant. Deann was an avid reader and was very fond of her pet dogs. She most recently was involved with Relay for Life and Stacking for a Cure as a volunteer and supporter. Her gentle and caring ways touched many and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Surviving are: her husband, David A. Burkey, whom she married October 23, 1993 in Our Lady of Fatima Church; and her son Joshua W. Burkey, a 3rd grade student at Artman Elementary, both at home; her mother, Christine Sakonyi, wife of Robert Sakonyi, Hermitage; two brothers, Jim Mason and his wife Shelly and their children Malayna and Mya, Hermitage; and Joe Mason and his wife Beth and their children Drew and Chloe, Sharpsville; several aunts and uncles, including Mary Ann and Jeff Reynolds, Hermitage; Susan and Bob May, West Middlesex; John Smegal, Houston, TX; Frank and Quoilla Gabriel, Farrell; Susi and Phil Leach, Farrell; Keenie and Gary Harrison, W. Middlesex; Mary Ellen Morsillo, Farrell; and Michael and Barb Mason, West Middlesex; cousins, Erik Reynolds, Rachel Biro, Jolene and Stacey; Monica, Jackie and Chris Mason; and Victoria, Trevor and Katie. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Lori Giorgio of Akron, Ohio and her children Andrea, Michael and Diana; her mother-in-law, Barbara Burkey, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and four step-sisters and their families: Dr. Joy Sakonyi Diurba and her children Ava and Shea, Pittsburgh; Rachel Bertolasio, wife of Frank and their children Luca and Giada, Hermitage; Robin White, wife of Eric and their children Jack and Emma; and Christy Errett, wife of Dan and their daughter Grace, Elizabethtown, PA.

Deann was preceded in death by her father, William "Harry" Mason, a former Farrell police officer who died in 1995; her grandparents, Jim and Corrine Mason; and John and Assunta Smegal; her father-in-law, John Burkey; and a cousin, Anthony May.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265-0309; or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday (10-29-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. A Rosary will be recited at 6:45 p.m.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCremator.com.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday (10-30-10) in Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.