Heaven gained a beautiful soul filled with unconditional love, positivity and song with the sudden passing of Antoinette “Toni” Bourke, 81, on May 18, 2022.
Toni was born on August 31, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. She met the love of her life, Roderick Bourke, in a Catholic singles group and they married on May 6,1961. Their loving marriage served as an example for all that knew them for more than 62 years.
Toni worked her way through Catholic school and was a proud graduate of the Immaculata High School. After more than 60 years, she still had very close relationships with her sisters from Immaculata and spend time with them when possible.
Rod and Toni were blessed with three sons, Nicholas, Michael and Brian. Toni was a stay-at-home mom when the boys were young but later in life became a dedicated worker at various organizations. She worked her way through an undergraduate degree in Education from Auburn University at Montgomery and later a master’s degree from Alabama State University.
But education and work were always secondary to spending time with her family and friends. She was a fiercely devoted mother, wife and grandmother who always managed to make family gatherings fun and festive. She loved to sing, particularly with Rod, where they would duet often at gatherings and events. Their favorite song to sing together was “I know I’ll Never Find Another You” where they were blessed to be able to sing at their granddaughter Tara’s wedding this past February. “Gams” or “Grandma”, loved each one of her nine grandchildren, one granddaughter-in-law and one grandson-in-law and made special efforts to connect with them each individually, no matter how distant. Next to her husband and sons, they were her pride and joy.
Toni would always find a silver lining in any event, no matter how unfortunate. The silver lining in this terrible event is that she spent most of her final days surrounded by the people who loved her most, her husband, all three sons, sisters-in-law, and grandkids. Just days before she left this world, she traveled to Davenport Iowa for her granddaughter Caroline’s, graduation from the University of Iowa where the family spent a glorious four days together.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Stella Ebenreiter and her brother, Kenny Ebenreiter. She is survived by her husband, Rod, sons, Nick, Mike and Brian, daughters-in-law Grace (Richey) Bourke, Melissa (Cordes) Bourke and Nicole (Huber) Bourke, grandchildren, Kevin (Marissa), Tara (Blake), Sam, Caroline, Jake, Megan, Anna, Reagan and Brady and sister Shirley (Sherry) Blazen.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service is scheduled for Monday May 23,11am St Bede's Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to service and Rosary Service at 10:30 am
In lieu of flowers the family has asked to please make donations to Montgomery COPE pregnancy center.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Bourke family.
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