Natalie was born in Saint Louis, Missouri on April 16, 1926 as the eldest of five children. She was a straight-A student, a leader to her peers, and voted “Most Likely to Succeed” at Mehlville High School in Saint Louis. After high school she was employed as a stenographer for the railroad. She married John Edward Burke on August 28, 1954 and their only daughter Mary Catherine was born the following year. The family relocated to Tampa, Florida in 1956 where she worked for the City of Tampa during the term of Mayor Nick Nuccio. In 1959 she became the Executive Secretary for the manager of Hertz Corporation in Tampa until her retirement in 1994.
Passionate about traveling, Natalie enjoyed trains, planes, and automobiles. With her daughter, and later her granddaughter, she journeyed throughout the United States, Canada, Egypt, and numerous countries throughout the Caribbean and Europe.
She played a crucial role in raising her granddaughter, Natalie. Lovingly known as Wadju to her granddaughter, she acted as a second parent. Natalie was an enlightened, tenacious woman ahead of her time and imparted a spirit of independent confidence to both her daughter and granddaughter.
After retirement, Natalie remained engaged with the community through volunteerism, business activities, and her many friendships.
She is preceded in death by her parents Michael and Martha (Bröcker) Petrowsky, her brothers Michael Petrowsky and John Petrowsky, and her husband John Edward Burke.
She is survived by her sister, Catherine Van Deven; her brother, Joseph Petrowsky; her daughter, Mary Burke; and her granddaughter, Natalie Burke.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday April 21st at 10am at the Blount & Curry Funeral Home – Macdill Chapel, 605 S Macdill Ave, Tampa, FL 33609.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
https://donate.maryknoll.org/MaryknollFB/Missions.cfm
