Obituary of Mary Virginia Burke

Mary Virginia Burke, widow of William James Burke, died Saturday July 14, 2018 at her home in Edgehill in Stamford, Connecticut.

She was born in Chicago, Illinois in May of 1918, the daughter of John Francis O’Connell and Margaret Irene O’Connell (Donnegan) and was the second of five children. She married Bill Burke, her husband of 69 years, in Chicago in May of 1945. After several moves, they moved to Connecticut where they made their permanent home. In addition to raising six children, Mary Virginia was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed hiking, skiing, archery, horseback riding, skating and golf. She was an avid walker and swam every summer day well into her 80’s.

Mary Virginia was a congregant of St. Catherine’s Church and an active volunteer there.  She was a member of the Greenwich Women’s Club and a member of Innis Arden for over 50 years.  Mary and Bill enjoyed years of golf, dancing and international travel. They both loved to host parties and very much enjoyed the social activities at Innis Arden. 

Mary Virginia was predeceased by her parents, her husband and three of her siblings.  She is survived by her sister Gerry O’Connell, six children: Jim Burke, Jean Burke Young, Bill Burke Jr. and his wife Rita, Susie Schruth and her husband Peter, Kathy Demare and her husband Patrick, Margaret Downing and her husband Tom, fourteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, one great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church 4 Riverside Ave Riverside, CT on Saturday, July 21^st at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the home of Susie and Peter Schruth at 17 Fairgreen Lane, Old Greenwich. The burial will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home, Stamford (203)-359-9999.  To send condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com