PATRICIA ORPHA BURKE

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PATRICIA ORPHA BURKE Peacefully, on Sunday, September 26, 2010 Patricia Burke passed away at Bethania Personal Care Home. Our mom was predeceased by her parents Alfred and Nancy Gaunt, her brothers Stuart and Douglas, and sister Margaret (in infancy.) She was loved and is deeply missed by her husband Maurice, their children, Michael, Shelagh, Kelly and Kevin, brother Guthrie, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Mom was born January 8, 1922 in Fort William, ON. She graduated from Fort William Collegiate Institute and entered Nursing School. After becoming an R.N. Patricia had a varied career, working in large urban hospitals and small mining towns. It was in her beloved natural beauty of Northwestern Ontario that she met Maurice. They were married in 1952 and shared 58 wonderful years together. When her children were born, she was glad to become a full time mom and devoted herself to her family. In 1970 the family moved to St. John's, NL. Patricia embraced life on the east coast. The family had many wonderful times there over the next four years, exploring all the Atlantic Provinces on their holidays. With a return to Winnipeg and her children grown, she busied herself with church and volunteer work. She adored her grandchildren and her dogs. She was humble and humorous and claimed she had no special talents other than common sense. To her, life was a great gift and she would burst into song just from the joy of being alive. She faced breast cancer calmly and bravely, and overcame it. In 2003 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Though her abilities declined, she never lost her kind, gentle nature. Until the end there was a sparkle in her eye and warmth in her touch. When Mom could no longer be cared for at home, she moved to Beacon Hill Lodge and then Bethania. We thank the staff at both for the kindness and respect they showed Patricia. Funeral Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 61 Picardy Place on Saturday, October 2 at 11:00 a.m., reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, anyone so willing may make a donation to a charity of their choice. Mom, we miss you so much but are glad you are free CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 30, 2010