Helen Anne Burke

Helen A. Burke passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Holy Redeemer Hospice in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania. She was 89 years of age. Born in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Nicola and Vincenza Stasio. Helen and her siblings were the first generation of her family born in America. She was the only sibling to attend college at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She met her late husband Joseph in Philadelphia and resided in North East Philadelphia until his death in 2007. Since that time her primary residence was in Flourtown, Pennsylvania and she had spent months at a time living with her other children.

Mrs. Burke was a retired registered nurse. She was a graduate of Mt. Sinai Hospital School of Nursing. She had worked at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Germantown Hospital, Albert Einstein Medical Center and the Golden Slipper Nursing Home.

Helen was a devoted Catholic and Communicant of St. Genevieve Parish in Flourtown. She attended Mass frequently and said the Rosary daily. She was a volunteer at Temple Jeans and Virtua Voorhees Hospitals. She loved to bring people together through family dinners and gatherings.

Helen was an avid reader. She enjoyed opera, ballet, crossword puzzles, sewing, crocheting and playing the slot machines a few times a year at the casino. Helen was an enthusiastic Norte Dame University and Eagles football fan. She also enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars, Grey’s Anatomy, Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes, and General Hospital.

Helen was the beloved wife of Joseph J. Burke for almost 50 years (16 days short) before his death in 2007. She was the devoted mother of Patricia A. Schwartz (Gary) of Medford NJ, James N. Burke of Feasterville, Susan T. Weidlich of Somers Point NJ, and Eileen Burke (Deborah Alexander) of Flourtown. She was the loving grandmother of Christopher and Nicole Schwartz, Ashley Morris (Andrew), Stephanie Burke, Brooke and Marc Weidlich and great grandmother of Mackenzie Morris. She is also survived by her dearest family members Cos Stasio, Patti Lance, Maryann, Mickey, Anthony and Andrea Fennych, Teresa Falik, Judy, Jim, Katie, Sarah and Rebecca Davey, Robert, Lola and Victoria Brooklyn, Dorothy McIntire, Joan Fluke, Michael, Tim, and Martin Burke, Rosemarie and Ray Farrell.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 from 7 to 9 PM at the Wm. Rowen Grant Funeral Home, 659 Street Road, Southampton, PA. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at St. Genevieve Church, 1225 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031. Helen’s interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Wm. Rowen Grant Funeral Home Inc., Southampton, PA.