Dolores Patricia Burke

Dolores Patricia Burke, longtime resident of the Monterey Peninsula, passed away in her sleep at her home on Monday morning, August 6, 2012, at the age of 88. A resident of Pacific Grove for nearly half her life, she was feisty and sharp-witted to the end, in spite of various physical setbacks and challenges in recent years.

Born in Ballysodare, Ireland of Joseph and Agnes Martin on March 16, 1924, St. Patrick's Day was nevertheless always Dolores' celebrated birthday, and she never shed her Irish roots or brogue. In her day, she was a wild and fun-loving schoolgirl, a dedicated and caring nurse, a talented artist and skilled chef, a selfless mother to her five children and surrogate mom to countless students during her years as school nurse at Robert Louis Stevenson. The last of her generation of ten siblings, Dolores was a devout Catholic who prayed for the release her passing brought, and has no doubt that she's in a better place -- and she would have all who remember her to celebrate a full life, and the peaceful and natural passing she welcomed.

Dolores is survived by her children, Kathleen Haffey of Beaverton, Oregon, Patrick Burke of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Colman Burke of San Francisco, Cormac Burke of Portland, Oregon and Brendan Burke of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Also survived by her nine grandchildren, her brother-in-law, Cormac Burke of Nairobi, Kenya, a multitude of nieces and nephews and numerous other friends and family.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Angela Merici Church in Pacific Grove, tomorrow, August 10 at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to New Camaldoli Hermitage, 62475 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920, in memory of Dolores. To sign the guest book for Dolores and leave messages for her family, please visit wwDiw.thepaulmortuary.com.