Obituary of Rita Burke

BURKE: Rita (nee King) - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother Rita Burke, who died on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Riverview Gardens after a long fruitful life. She was in her 93rd year. Born on May 26, 1923 in Pain Court, Rita was the daughter of the late Alphy King and Olivia (Caron). She was the dear wife of Donald Burke for 68 years before his death in 2009. They started their life together in Windsor, moved to Dover Centre to raise their family and spent the rest of their life in Chatham. Rita and Don were blessed with four children: Diane (Fred) De Meyer, Barry (Shirley) Burke, Joyce (Gordon) Wood and Roy (Sharon) Burke. Rita will be fondly remembered by her 11 grandchildren Francine and Peter Krailo, Julie De Meyer (late Peter Dernick 2008), Janet and George Kao, Jason and Vilma De Meyer, Jodi Burke, Stacey and Christine Burke, Stephanie and Jamie Smith, Hayley and Damien Wood-Teague, Courtney Wood, Jo-Ellen and Chris Couture, Scott and Victoria Burke and Shannon Burke and nineteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Irma King, Arlene Burke, her brother-in-law Richard Burke and by many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by brothers and sisters Louis, Clara, Laurentia, Jerome, Pauline, Roland, Gerald. Rita knew her greatest legacy was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren where she never gave it a second thought to make great sacrifices for all of them. Rita is warmly remembered as a generous, spiritually strong, resourceful, tolerant, smart woman, who was always ready to help and never judged others of their shortcomings. The church played an important role in Rita's life and she was an active member of the Catholic Women's League of St. Ursula Church. Together in life Rita and Don were inseparable and are now reunited. The family would like to thank the staff at Maple City Residence and Riverview Gardens for their compassion and tender care over the past few years. Family will receive friends at St. Ursula's Church, 205 Tweedsmuir Ave West, Chatham, on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. until the Mass of the Resurrection at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow at St. Anthony Cemetery, Chatham. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice or Canadian Food for Children would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to: McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, 519-351-2040.