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In memory of
Helen Joan Burke
June 6, 1927 - January 22, 2019
Jun 6, 1927 - Jan 22, 2019
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Helen's obituary
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alexander (Andy) Michael Burke, Sr. and her daughter Margaret Burke. She is survived by nine of her ten children: Patricia Burke, Marianne Burke (Alan Lewitus), Maureen Werst (Kendall), Alexander Burke, Jr., Steven Burke, Geralynn Burke (Gary Bedsaul), Patrick Burke (Michelle) and William Burke. Also, she leaves fifteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
To know Joan was to love her. From her time as a young mother right up to her last moments on earth she befriended and brought peaceful acceptance to others. She was a Hospice volunteer for eight years when she provided respite for families of those who were dying. She tutored neighborhood kids and volunteered in the Haycock School guidance office with their “Sounding Board” program, where kids came to talk about their troubles. She is remembered fondly by some of those kids today, now grown up with kids of their own, as being crucial to their wellbeing during their formative years. When she and her husband moved to a farm after retiring, she hosted inner city children in the summer through the Fresh Air Program, where city kids enjoyed farm life and helped her raise vegetables, milk goats, feed chickens and gather eggs.
Joan was always ready for new experiences, even in her later years. She travelled with ElderHostel to many places including Mexico and Egypt. She loved to sew and made each of her children a quilt bedspread. She even made a dulcimer when she was in her eighth decade, and was active at her senior center and later in a senior living community.
Throughout her adult life Joan studied spirituality and ancient religions and loved having conversations with friends and family about religion and spirituality. She lived what she believed and knew that she was given a job to do on earth and when her job was done, she would be released. Shortly before she passed, she announced to her family that her purpose on earth was accomplished and that she had asked God to take her.
Before passing, Joan suggested that instead of flowers, donations could be made to Heifer International (www.heifer.org) so families in other countries could enjoy farm animals and feed their children as she did.
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Created with love by
Marianne Burke.
