Mary E. Burke

Mary E. (Sampson) Burke, of Peabody, formerly of Lynn, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2015 in the Rosewood Nursing Home in Peabody, she was 93. Born in Dartmouth, Canada on June 17, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Colin and Bertha (Lavers) Sampson. Mary and her family came to the Unites States when she was 3 and settled in Lynn at the age of 9. She was raised and educated in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School with the Class of 1940. Mary worked briefly for Woolworth’s in Lynn before retiring to dedicate herself to her family. She married her sweetheart, Francis E. Burke, on September 4, 1941. The couple spent 62 years in marriage together until Francis’ passing in October of 2003. Mary was a member of Our Lady’s Solidarity located in St. Pius V Church in Lynn as well as serving as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts Troop #21. She was an avid gardener and loved to knit as well as playing BINGO. Mary is survived by her children, Michael F. Burke and his wife, Barbara of Lynn, Daniel J. Burke and his late wife, Carol, of Saugus, and William P. Burke and his wife Elaine, of Hampstead, NH, her grandchildren, Beth Clark, Amie Kelter, Daniel, Cheryl, and Dennis Burke and David and Robert Burke as well as her 5 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held in the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St. LYNN on Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 9 10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Pius V Church, 215 Maple St. Lynn at 11 AM. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 Mall Rd. #450, Burlington, MA 01803.