Pauline E. Burns, twin sister of Catherine Burns (Class of 1950-M), was born on March 1, 1928, in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. Her father, Roy Eugene Burns, a clerk at the railroad office, and his wife, Mary V. Brennan, were living in Altoona at the time of the 1930 Federal Census, at which time their twin daughters were two years old. In 1940, they were living in State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania, and they had another daughter, Margaret, age three.

While a student nurse at St. Francis Hospital, Pauline was in the U.S. World War II Cadet Nursing Corps. Her birth date is stated on the membership card, and her address was State College.

Pauline married Ricco J. Leana. He was associated with the baking business in the Pittsburgh area. A news article names him as Vice President of Rhea's Bakery, and another describes him as owner of Lee-Ann Bakery on Brighton Road, Northside.

Catherine Burns Patrick, twin sister of Pauline, died in 2008. At that time, Pauline was living in Massachusetts.

Pauline's mother died in 1969, and her father in 1980.