Charlene Anne Burke

Charlene’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Charlene spent her career in food service at the South Portland School Department, primarily at Redbank School as their loving and caring “lunch lady”. She became a surrogate mom to all of the neighborhood kids and students.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Donald Burke, Jr of Lisbon; daughter Lori Swinford and her husband Kevin of Lisbon; sons Donald Burke and his wife, Tara of Minden, NV; and Chad Burke and his wife, Erica of Durham; brothers Edward Chase and Dwayne Chase; her beloved grandchildren Kaylee Shaw and her husband Will; Ryan Cates and his fiancé Danielle; Joseph Burke and his fiancé, Andrea; Joshua Burke; Hunter Burke; Jaclyn Burke and her fiancé, Jacob; and Phoenix Burke; her great grandchildren, Emma Shaw and Eleanore Cates; and many nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her parents, Clifton and Freida Chase and her sister, Charlotte Leavitt.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at The Lamp Memory Care Center and Andwell Hospice.

There will be a private graveside service at the VA Cemetery in Augusta followed by a Celebration of Life on June 5, 2026 at the Amvets Post 13 in Durham at noon where all are welcome!