It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Gladys Mary Burke of Long Harbour, who passed peacefully away in her home on 20 May 2017 surrounded by the love and care of her children. Gladys was predeceased by her parents, Mary King and Thomas Murphy, her 8 siblings of whom she was the youngest, her daughter in-law Teeta, her grandson Cory and her darling husband Jack. She will be dearly missed by her adoring children: Sandra (Mike), Lester (Juanita), Geri (Ray), Gloria, Bruce (Faith), Wally (Penny), Jacqui, Elizabeth (Phil), Tess (Al), Chantelle (Andy), her 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, and her little cat Lupin.
Gladys was born on Crawley’s Island (1927) to Mary and George Murphy who cherished her and taught her the kindness and generosity that was her character. She met Jack Burke from Long Harbour and fell in love. They were married for 61 years before he passed away. He built her a home that he made wind worthy and strong and together they reinforced it with love and laughter. She doted on the boys and stayed up late and laughed with the girls. Her house was always open to friends. Some stayed for nights, some for just for a chat, some to bring flowers but they all left knowing she cared and no one left hungry. Some even left with “a bit of money”. Gladys was a maker of all things. She sewed, knit, baked and tended a beautiful garden that she took great pride in. She was renowned for her cooking, with her fearless use of butter and salt that contributed the finest jigs dinner you’ll ever taste. At Christmas, she made the feasts, encouraged the singing and never let us forget the importance of thanking God for our blessings. Her constant faith gave her strength and an inner peace, and the ability to cope with loss and sickness.
She was a remarkable woman who will be missed by many. A very sincere thank you to all her “best friends” for visiting her, helping her and loving her through the years. A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Stephanie Squibb for her care and professionalism and for always being there for Gladys and Jack. We’d also like to thank Robin Alcock the community nurse who was invaluable during her end of life care at home.
Gladys will be waked at Holloway’s Funeral Home in Whitbourne on Monday, 22 May (2 – 7 PM) and Tuesday, 23 May (2 – 4 PM). She will also be waked at the church in Long Harbour on Tuesday, 23 May (7 – 9 PM). Her funeral service will take place at 12 pm on Wednesday, May 24 in Long Harbour. Cremation to follow. Inurnment at Long Harbour at a later date.
Gladys loved flowers, so you can send flowers or you can make a donation to St. Francis Xavier Parish, Long Harbour.
so sorry for you sad loss may your mom rip
My condolences to the Burke Family in the loss of your mom.May she rest in peace. God Bless.
Condolences and prayers for the Burke family in the passing of your mom she was always one classy lady
My Dearest cousins:
My heart is there with all of you and a visit to Long Harbour will never be the same. Aunt Gladys was
so special to us all. My last visit with her she made me promise that I would not be sad when she passed away. Her words were ” I want to die in my home with my children, so be happy for me”. Well she got her wish but I can’t say I kept my promise and a little tear and memory sneaked out of my eyes and down my cheeks when I got the news. It’s because I loved her so much and I love all of you and wish I was there to hug you all.
I’m sure there are lots of flowers in heaven but Aunt Gladys will have the best garden. xo
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during the next few days,I said to Tammy yesterday there’s a lot of sad people on earth today because of her passing,but I know there’s one happy man in heaven. God love her she had a heart of gold and a soul to match,she would always say to me when I went to visit her how much I was like my father.she would say George was my favorite he would give you his last salmo and if he didn’t have a salmon he would give you a fruit or whatever he had.well I guess that ran in their family because she was the exact same thing.a couple of things I know for sure was she loved all of you with all her heart and second I know that heaven is going to have some nice flower garden. Love all you cousins.💚
To The Burke family: So sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. She was a lovely person, so full of life and she raised a great family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love and condolences to family and friends. She was an amazing lady and will be missed by many .
So sorry for your loss. May you all find comfort in the many days ahead of the special memories spent with your mom. Losing a loved one is never an easy trip in life. May your mom R.I.P.
Sending my deepest, most sincere condolences to you all, from my family to yours. I always enjoyed going to Aunt Gladys’ with dad for a visit. It was the happiest, most welcoming home to enter. It is something special to be a descendant of hers and this group of women. Rest in peace Aunt Gladys.
Deepest condolences on the loss of your beautiful Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May she Rest In Peace!
My deepest condolences to the Burke family. Your mom was a a special lady and will be missed by many.
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. xo
To all my family back home I hope you can feel all the love that is being sent to you! Aunt Gladys was one amazing lady and sure did love everyone as everyone loved her! Everyone was her favorite but she made you feel like you were the only one and I will always remember that. I was able to visit with her in march on a quick trip I made home and she had a smile from ear to ear when I walked in the door…she always did! My visits to Long harbour will never be the same! She will be missed by so many people on earth but welcomed by so many others in heaven!
Ashley, I am so very sorry for your family’s loss. You always spoke of your nan and pop with so much love. Thinking of you. God Bless, Janine.
So sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace .
Sending our sincere condolences on the loss of your mom, a loving, impressive and talented lady. We have such special memories of her over the years. May she RIP.
The Burke Family,
Please know You All are in our thoughts and prayers.
Your Mom will be missed each and every day,
for she was someone special who meant more than words can say. 🌹
I saw your Mom about a month ago and she hugged me and told me that she was proud of me for being good to my Mom. Your Mom inspires goodness and warmth in people. Our Moms and Dads have given us such wonderful examples to live by. They have always been there for us and they will always be with us in every kindness we show.
Dear Lester, Wally, Tess and Burke Family
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We only met her a few times, she was a lovely lady whose personality we can see in each of you. We hope the wonderful memories you have of your Mom will bring you peace and many smiles in the days to come. Our sincere sympathy. Love and hugs. Peter and Joy
To the Burke Family
My Goodness , so surprised to hear of your moms passing. Just heard the news. On speaking with Sandra I always knew your mom was a loving caring, nurturing and very talented woman. Ahead of her time she was. Total adoration of her family and they as well for her. You will miss her for sure but of course she has no doubt left behind some fine memories to help ease your loss. Passing along our deepest sympathy to all of you. Love Liz And Rob
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was the heck of a lady. I visited her in March, and as always she was delighted to see me, as was I to see her. Although she was in failing health, she was always so pleasant, and talked about the wonderful life she had lived, especially how much she loved Jack and her children. Although my partner, Dorothy, only met her a couple of times she was very impressed by this wonderful woman. And of course your mom would tell her what a lucky woman she was.
We know that you all have wonderful memories of her. Hold on to them and that will sustain during this difficult time. May God bless you all.
Dearest sympathy to Tes, Betty and all the Burke family. To a lovely woman and Aunt. She was a sweetheart. Barney, Kimberley and kids.
Thinking of you and wishing you peace and comfort as you remember your Mom.
My condolences to the family on the passing of your mom. She was a great lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of sadness. May your mom rest in peace.
Our condolences to the Burke families. Gladys was a wonderful lady
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Burke’s passing.
A wonderful life that was well lived!
Aunt Gladys was more than my favorite Aunt, she was my second mother and her home was my second home. She treated me as her own and always welcomed me with open arms and the warmth that could only be found in a heart like hers.
Her passing leaves a space in my heart that will never close and I cherish each and every second that I was blessed to spend in her unmatched company.
May she rest in peace with Uncle Jack and the rest of her family.
To my Burke cousins, I pray that you find comfort in each other and the knowledge that your Mother was one who was loved and respected by all who were lucky enough to have known her. God Bless you all.
“God looked around his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered “Peace be thine.”
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you did not go alone…
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.”
Elizabeth, Phil, and the Burke family;
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all on the loss of your dear Mother and Grandmother.
Love the Bungay’s, Maddox Cove.
Our condolences to the Burke family in the loss of mom Burke. It was a honour to meet such a great women. She will be sadly missed. Thinking of all of you during this difficult time.
Mike and Sandra,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your Mom/ Mother-in-Law. It sounded like she was the cornerstone of your family. I’m sure she will be dearly missed. Take care of yourselves.
Catherine Blake
Mike, Sarah, Jen and family,
Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Elizabeth Ares
Leary’s Brook Junior High
Mike and family,
Sincerest condolences on your loss.