Gertrude (Lovey) Burke, age 100, made her final move to her heavenly home on June 10, 2019. Lovey was born and raised in Queens, New York, the daughter of Leonard and Gertrude Armbruster. In 1940 she married Jerry Burke, the love of her life. In short order, from 1941 through 1958, the Burke household grew from two to eleven with the birth of seven girls and two boys. It was a busy and happy home.
In 1973 Mom and Dad retired, left the city and headed for the next chapter of their lives in Newport VT. When Jerry died in 1984 Mom continued living in her dream house on the hill where she welcomed many friends both old and new. Mom was active in her church, volunteered at North Country Hospital, and was a hospice volunteer. She had an extensive and beautiful garden. She enjoyed travels around the country to visit her ever expanding family as much as exploring the back roads of Vermont. Mom was a joyful and calming presence to all who knew her.
At age 85, Mom moved to Bristol to be closer to family. Mom was a long time member of the Bristol Coffeemates and cherished the friendships made over conversations each Wednesday at Almost Home. She was a volunteer, and then participant, at Elderly Services. Mom was an active member in her church. Faith, love, and dedication to her family and friends were the tenets Mom lived by and passed along to her family.
Mom was predeceased by her husband, Jerry Burke, her sister, Ruth Getter, her daughter Kathryn Hendrickson, her sons-in-law Ned Hendrickson and Frank Buonincontro and her grandson Chuck Baser. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Susan Buonincontro, Jane and Roger Gorey, Mary Lou and Ron Arundell, Joan and Vincent Esposito, Theresa and Jon Barb, Marian and Fred Baser, Ed Burke & David Flashenriem and Jerry Burke & Jan Henderson; her nephew James and Margaret Healy; 28 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren. Mom also leaves many special friends who enriched her life so much.
Our family would like to thank the entire staff of EastView at Middlebury who welcomed her as family and provided much love and tender care.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol VT. A Celebration of her life will be held at St Ambrose Catholic Church on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 11:00am. Internment will be at the convenience of the family. In Lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to Elderly Services (PO Box 581 Middlebury, VT 05753). To send online condolences to her family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com
Such an amazing woman and life. She leaves such a legacy and anyone who knew Lovey, loved her. I have such fond memories of visiting her and Jerry in Queens Village. Always fun and excitement at the Burke house!!!
My prayers are with all of you as I know she will be terribly missed.
Love,
PEGGY ARUNDELL Rallo
Prayers and sympathy are with all your family Love, Al and Pam Wilke
Joan and family your mother is an inspiration what tribute to a life well lived! Please accept our condolences. She is with her love ones and watches over all those on earth. God Bless You All
We send our love and sympathy to all of the amazing Burke family. Lovey was smart, thoughtful, loving and spiritual, as well as a lot of fun to be with. A mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose refrigerator door displayed photos from birthdays, graduations, and picnics along with notes written in crayon by young ones. We will remember and miss Lover always.
Phil & Carolyn Henderson, Brian and Nancy.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family. Jill Svrcek
We send our love and sympathy to all of the amazing Burke family. Lovey was smart, thoughtful, loving and spiritual, as well as a lot of fun to be with. A mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose refrigerator displayed photos from birthdays, graduations, and picnics along with notes written in crayon by young ones. We will remember and miss Lovey always. Phil & Carolyn Henderson, and Brian and Nancy
My deepest sympathy for your loss. What seems to be a long life is never long enough where our loved ones are concerned. Our Heavenly Father Jehovah feels the same way. That is why He has promised to swallow up death forever and soon end all our suffering. (Rev. 21:3-5; Isa. 25:8) May His promises be a soothing balm for your grieving hearts.
Judy and I were sad to learn that Gertrude had passed. She and my mother Barbara Rivard were kindred sprits, while in Newport. She had such a lovely ( Lovey) and calming presence, I am happy that we went to visit her a couple of years ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, she was just such wonderful person, submitted with prayers, Steve & Judy Rivard Williston Vt