Obituary of Mary (Pat) Patricia Burke

November 4, 1946 – Vancouver, British Columbia

September 2, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Pat Burke of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the age of 76.

Pat was born November 4, 1946, in Vancouver, BC, and moved to Calgary, AB, at the age of five. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary, and Junior High Schools followed by St. Mary’s Girls High School. She attended the University of Calgary and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a two-year Teaching Certificate. Pat moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA, where she received a Practical Teaching Certificate from the University of North Carolina and began her teaching career. Years later, after moving to Vancouver, BC, Pat received a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of British Columbia.

Pat commenced her teaching career in North Carolina, USA, working at various schools for six months. She moved back to Canada for two years of teaching in Victoria, BC, and then moved to Winnipeg, MB, where she spent seven years teaching junior high students before moving to Vancouver, BC, where she retired as a teacher after a long career at West Vancouver Secondary School.  Pat was active in the teachers’ union and had several positions in the union movement in an effort to improve their teaching conditions during her time as a teacher in Vancouver.

Pat's passion was food, both cooking, and eating at great restaurants. She was an avid traveller, having travelled with family members to Thailand, Hong Kong, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, England, and Scotland. She enjoyed visiting family in Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, and Toronto, ON.

Pat is survived by her two brothers, Jim Burke (Sonia) of Calgary, AB, and Dan Burke (Emilie Rissman) of Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; her sister-in-law, Carol Street of Toronto, ON, and six nieces and nephews in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Pat is predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Orville Burke, and brother, Terry Burke.

The family would like to thank Dr. V. Kavani, and the nurses and staff at the Tom Baker Centre at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, AB, Dr. Chinwe Joy Osondu, G.P., and Kim Ryrie and the staff of Agape Hospice.

Funeral Service will be held at McInnis and Holloway, Fish Creek Chapel (1441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on September 22, 2023, starting at 11:00 a.m. A Reception will follow at the Funeral Home’s Hospitality Center. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Ms. Burke’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Mary Patricia Burke, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.

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