MARY BURKE
Born In: NEWFOUNDLAND
Born: June 22nd, 1924
Passed in: SYDNEY
Passed on: November 23rd, 2016
Mary Burke, 92, of Sydney, passed away peacefully at Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, surrounded by her large and loving family.
The daughter of the late Edward and Annie Hickman, Mary was born in Pt Au Gaul, Newfoundland on June 22, 1924, and made her way to Sydney, at an early age, where she met the love of her life, Walter “Buddy” Burke and started a family.
Mary spent most of her life in the Grand Lake Road community and later, Stuart Street, Sydney. After seven children, 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, with one on the way, Mom lived a long and happy life. She would often say her family was her greatest accomplishment and a gift for which she was most proud. Mom loved to cook for her family and was famous for her homemade bread, soup, “flat tires” and totens, recipes which, today, her children and grandchildren try to replicate. Our home was a gathering spot on the Green Road and, while it could get pretty crowded on occasion, there was always room for one more. It was Mary’s way of keeping a tight rein on her seven children. Nannie Burke was a fierce card player and loved to play with her grandchildren, who respectfully say “she never liked to lose.” Mary also enjoyed a life of volunteerism and gave freely of her time to the CNIB, Meals on Wheels, and her church. She was an avid knitter and donated many of her crafts to a variety of charities or to anyone who was in need of mittens, hats or scarves. Mom was our pillar of strength and while we grieve her loss, we celebrate the rich legacy she leaves behind. That family is our greatest asset, that we can accomplish anything with hard work and determination, and giving unconditionally to others has long lasting rewards. We were blessed by her gifts and will carry her in our hearts forever.
Mary is survived by her children, Robert (Kathy), Brenda (Frank Frison), Donna (Gareth Rowe), Bonnie (Len Verhaeghe), Marie (Wendell Aucoin), Marlene (Charlie Bond), Gail (Leo McDonnell); grandchildren, Tanya, Curtis, Amanda, Darrell, Jocelyn, Lynette, Shea, Janine, Mandy, Kerrianne, Andrew, Rochelle, Jeff, Shauna, David, Karla, Ryan, Charissa, Liam, Cory; 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, George Hickman and sisters-in-law, Agnes Burke, Mary Hickman, Joan Hickman, Eileen Hickman and many nieces and nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Walter “Buddy” Burke in 1979, along with brothers, Randall, Wallace, Herbert, Jabez, Curtis, James, Norman and sister, Hester Hanson.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Archibald and the caring and compassionate staff of Levattes Lane, Harbourstone for the past five years. They have been like family and enjoyed Mom’s wit, her determination and caring nature. Special thanks to the Palliative Care Team for their invaluable support in guiding the family through her final journey.
There will be no visitation.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sydney Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will be held at Church of Christ the King Anglican Church, Trinity Ave., Sydney on Monday, November 28, 2016, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Reg MacDonald officiating.
Following the service, a Celebration of Life for Mary will be hosted by the family at the Grand Lake Road Fire hall between 3-6 p.m., with light refreshments being served.
Interment will be held at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Donations in memory of Mary can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or the Canadian Institute for the Blind.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
