Evelyn Rose Burke, of Mattapoisett, peacefully passed away surrounded by family at her home, on October 22, 2008. She was the wife of the late Edward F. Burke to whom she was married for 36 years.
Born in New Bedford on May 11, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Antoinette (Remillard) Normandeau.
She was the beloved mother of Stephen Burke of Chepachet, RI, Jeffrey Burke and his wife Lauri of East Providence, RI, Michael Burke and his wife Stephanie of Pensacola, FL, Joel Burke and his wife Laurie Behr of Wakefield, RI, and Mary Elizabeth Urquhart of Mattapoisett.
She was the sister of Maurice "Jack" Normandeau and his wife Rita of Manorville, NY, Donald Normandeau and his wife Pauline of Fairhaven, and Doris Basel and her husband Fred of South Dartmouth. She was the sister-in-law of Reginald Gauthier of Fall River, and was preceded in death by her beloved sister Pauline Gauthier.
She was also survived by her grandchildren, Flannery Burke of East Providence, RI, Joshua and Jessica Burke of Pensacola, FL, Jonathan and Kyle Burke of Wakefield, RI, and Alexandra and Molly Urquhart of Mattapoisett.
She was a parishioner of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Mattapoisett, and was a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors at The Family Pantry- Damien's Place for many years.
She was a graduate of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and Bridgewater State College. She worked as a registered nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and retired as a guidance counselor from Dartmouth High School in 1986.
She was an avid reader, world traveler, and gardener, and enjoyed walking the beaches of Mattapoisett with her dog Mack.
Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday October 29, 2008 at 11 AM at St. Anthony's Church. Her family will receive visitors on Tuesday from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Burke's memory to The Family Pantry-Damien's Place, PO Box 111, Fairhaven, MA., 02719 would be appreciated. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.