Mary E. Burke

Mary Elizabeth (Lewis) Burke, 91, of Rutherford Heights, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 3, 2013 in the Harrisburg Hospital after a day surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 9, 1921 in Dudley, PA, the daughter of the late Edward J. and Catherine (Reilly) Lewis. She was preceded in death by James E. Burke Sr., her husband, and John “Johnny” Burke, their son with Cerebral palsy; she cared for Johnny his entire life at home, with supports from family and neighbors.

Surviving children are her son James E. Burke, Jr. and wife Gloria of Elizabethtown; son Michael B. Burke and wife Christine, and daughter Kathryn M. (Burke) DiSanto and husband William, Sr., all of Harrisburg. Surviving also are her grandchildren (with great-grandchildren) Mark E. Burke and wife Barbra, with their son Logan, of Camp Hill; Timothy P. Burke and wife Felicia, with their children Marissa and Tylar, of Harrisburg; William J. DiSanto, Jr. and wife Sarah, with their children Isabella, Victoria, and Dominic of Harrisburg; James V. DiSanto and wife Tara of Harrisburg; Jennifer (Burke) Valley and husband Daryl of Hummelstown; Jill (Burke) Gilbert and husband Matthew, with their children Eric and Jessica of Elizabethtown; and Melissa (DiSanto) Castellano and husband Michael, with their children Anne and Madeline (and expecting their third child) of Harrisburg. Also surviving are her beloved brothers Bernard J. Lewis and wife Phyllis of Linwood, NJ, and Edward R. Lewis and wife Lois of Mechanicsburg. Mary Elizabeth also had numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, Burke in-laws, friends, and neighbors who loved her dearly.

She was a retired employee from the former Dauphin Deposit Bank in Harrisburg. Mary had worked for the Hershey Foods Company during World War II and for a time at Olmsted Air Force Base in Middletown. She was a member of St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church in Harrisburg, and a devoted member and prayer partner of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL.

Mary’s loves and joys were her family and friends, visits to her hometown of Dudley, telling stories and looking through photos, reading books and doing crossword puzzles, country music, “old” television shows/movies and game shows, cups of hot tea and sweets, and her beloved Phillies baseball team.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Friday, March 8, 2013 in her parish St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, 4000 Derry St., Harrisburg, with Rev. Daniel F.X. Powell celebrating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held 10:00 AM Friday till time of service at the church.

Mary’s family gives special thanks to those who helped in her care at the close of her life, especially staff at Ecumenical assisted living, Spring Creek nursing home, the staff at Harrisburg Hospital (especially the ICU), and her doctors.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The March of Dimes or The American Heart Association.