Ellen A. Burke, 68, passed away October 11, 2016, at Porter Medical Center. She was born on April 25, 1948, in Long Island City, New York, the daughter of John and Agnes (Cross) Peace. She is survived by her husband, Michael H. Burke of Gaysville, Vermont. Ellen graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in English in 1970, where she met the love of her life.
Ellen was strong, quiet and fiercely dedicated to improving her community and took every opportunity to help those in need. Her happiest days were spent volunteering as a librarian at Belcher Library in Gaysville. She was a Girl Scout leader, guardian ad litem and an event coordinator for the PTA. Ellen enjoyed travel, literature, going to the theater and the arts. Some of her favorite hobbies included knitting, quilting and crossword puzzles. In 2005, Ellen spent a year off from her busy life to care for parents Agnes and John.
At the end of her life, Ellen had the good fortune to join the caring and compassionate community at Eastview at Middlebury. She benefitted greatly from the staff’s and residents’ friendship and kindness.
Ellen was the world's best Mom. Devoted to her children, she was immensely proud of their accomplishments. She is survived by a son, Michael Cross Burke of Brooklyn, New York; daughters, Christine “Tate” Cady Burke of Staten Island, New York, and Margrit “Maggie” Jeanne Burke of Waterbury, Vermont; brothers, William Peace of Syracuse, New York, and John Peace of Hawthorne, New York; sisters, Kathy Hope of Huntington Beach, California, and Mary Ann Gallant of Chula Vista, California; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; her dog, Ozzy; and her extended family at Eastview. Ellen was predeceased by her brother, James Peace.
A funeral mass will be held October 27, 2016, at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church in Rochester, Vermont, at 11 a.m. Friends are welcome. Everyone is encouraged to join in a Celebration of Life at the Worthy Burger, 56 Rainbow Street, in South Royalton at 1 p.m. The patio at the Worthy Burger is dog-friendly; Ozzy would greatly appreciate the attendance of your friendly, four-legged family members.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Belcher Library, P.O. Box 144, Gaysville, VT 05746.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home.
