Rosemary S. Burke

BURKE, Rosemary S., 97, of River Vale, NJ, formerly of Westwood, NJ, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024. Rosemary is survived by her eight children and their spouses, Mary and Mark, Bill and Lenni, John and Bernard, Ellen and Helen, Matthew and Judy, Philip and Christine, Andrew and Jacquie, and Patty and Ed; as well as her 18 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her beloved husband William Norbert Burke M.D.

Growing up in Westchester County, NY, Rosemary graduated from the College of New Rochelle and earned a Master’s from Hunter College, which led to her early career as a high school History teacher. After marrying Bill, they moved to Westwood, where he established his practice as a pediatrician and where they raised their eight children in the next 14 years. An avid reader, Rosemary always found time to conquer the Westwood Library and devour two newspapers every day. As the kids grew older, she sold real estate, played golf, became a well-loved member of several social Bridge clubs, served as an officer in a number of school, church, and local organizations, and in later life returned to teaching English as a second language to many new citizens.

The family will receive guests at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Thursday, February 1st from 4-8 p.m. A Mass celebrating Rosemary's life and faith will be held at St. Andrew's R.C. Church on Friday, February 2nd at 10:30 a.m. with interment at Westwood Cemetery in Westwood, NJ to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Rosemary’s name to Shriners Hospital @ Shrinerschildrens.org/donate or St. Joseph’s Indian School @ Give.StJo.Org.