Joyce Burke

Joyce, the youngest of eight children, was born on September 13th, 1939, in Penn Yan, New York to Walter and Gladys (Potter) Walrath. After graduating from Prattsburg Central School in 1957, Joyce worked as a waitress at Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Brighton. There she fell in love with bartender Peter Burke, and they married in 1960. Joyce supported Peter, raising four children, as he pursued a career in education which led them from Rochester to Palmyra and finally Waterloo. She became a librarian at the Waterloo Public Library and then a credit clerk at J.C. Penney in Geneva. Joyce was also a religious instructor at Saint Mary’s School.

After Peter’s death in 2006, Joyce began a new era, and alternated seasons between Upstate New York and Florida with her companion Joe Chiodo. Joyce and Joe enjoyed walking and dining out where they mingled with friends. She also enjoyed reading, watching birds and doting over her dogs and cats.

Joyce was a devoted daughter whose favorite place was at the side of her mother’s wheelchair. She passed to Joyce her moral compass, a well of optimism and a spirit of kindness. Joyce found hope in every condition, and, for many, Joyce was the nicest person they ever met.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Gladys, her siblings Elizabeth, Isabel, Edward, Erwin, Norma Gene, Betty, Wilma Joan, and her husband Peter Gerard.

She is survived by her sons Paul (wife Jeannette, daughters Analisa and Veronica), John (wife Diane, sons Bradley and Stephen, daughter Megan), Peter (wife Gloria), and Joan (husband George, daughter Emily, son Alec), several nieces, nephews, cousins and her companion, Joe.

Friends and family are invited to a mass in Joyce’s memory at St. Mary’s In Waterloo, New York at 1:30 p.m. on September 17 with inurnment following at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers Joyce asked that donations be directed to Saint Mary’s Church, 25 Center Street, Waterloo, New York, or The House of Concern, 22 Locust St, Waterloo, New York, 13165.