C. Patricia Murkland

VENICE, FL – Constance Patricia Murkland, 84, of Venice, FL, died peacefully on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in her own home with her family by her side.

Born in Flushing, NY, on April 14, 1926, Pat was the daughter of the late Mark Stanley Barker and Mary Alice (Jenkins) Barker. She grew up in Montvale, NJ, and graduated from Fryeburg Academy in Maine in 1943. She completed a secretarial course after high school and worked for Snelling & Snelling in New York City. She was married to Richard H. Burt in 1946. They divorced and she made a new home in North Port Charlotte, Florida, in 1962 with her three children. She moved to Venice in 1966. In 2000, she married Frederick W. Murkland.

Pat was one of thirteen original employees at First National Bank of Venice and worked there until 1973. She was then self-employed as a bookkeeper and devoted caregiver until her retirement. She loved the outdoors and the beach, and was a lifelong athlete, swimming daily and playing golf. Her passion was tennis, playing at Courtside Tennis Club in Venice, where she made many friends. She derived much pleasure from tending her garden, especially her roses and orchids. She also loved to travel and had visited several countries. She had been a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Venice since 1966. She enjoyed being a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

She was predeceased by her son, Richard A. Burt, in 1996, and her sister, Toni Scott, in 2001. She is survived by her daughters, Constance G. Burt of Bath, ME, and Kim E. Morgan of Pensacola, FL; her grandchildren, April Burt Sutton of Asheville, NC, and Richard Mark Burt of Candler, NC; her great-grandchildren, Lilyan and Abigail Sutton, and Georgia and Ricky Burt; her nieces, Marykate Bayer and Gwen Scott; her nephews, Ross Scott and Tom Scott; and her grand-nieces, Kaitlyn Scott Davis, Shannon-Lee Scott, and Gina Scott. In addition to her family, Pat had many, many wonderful lifelong friends that she loved dearly and who gave her great joy.

A memorial service led by The Rev. James H. Puryear will be held on Thursday, March 24, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, located at 508 Riviera Street in Venice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238, or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 513 Nassau Street South, Venice, FL 34285.

Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation & Burial Society, Sarasota, FL.