Mrs. Frances G. Burke

November 18, 1929 - December 18, 2012

Frances G. Burke Loving Mother and Grandmother LOWELL—Frances Geraldine (Gerrish) Burke, 83, passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, with her family at her side, at the Life Care Center in Billerica. Frances was the wife of the late Robert J. Burke who died in 2007. Born in Lowell on November 18, 1929, Frances was a daughter of the late Bradford and Ruth (Wagner) Gerrish. She was a graduate of St. Peter’s Grammar School and Lowell High School. Frances spent her early working days with the Housekeeping Department of the E.N. Rogers VA Hospital in Bedford. Later on, Frances was employed at Systems Circuits in Woburn and then in Salem, NH. Frances loved to travel, read, listen to music, and dance –especially the Twist. She was a generous, helpful, and caring person. She showed love and compassion to anyone. She had a heart of gold. Frances was the type of Mother that every child wanted. She had a special affection for animals, and especially loved cats and dogs. Her greatest titles were that of Mom and Nana. Frances was the Mother of the late Dennis Burke who died in 2004 Surviving Frances are her four daughters, Geraldine Osborne and her husband Ed of Florida, Kathleen Burke of Florida, Patricia Burke of Dracut, and Roberta Meltzer of Lowell; five grandchildren, Amanda Carrigher, David Carrigher, and Danny Carrigher and his wife Kara, Jennifer Meltzer, and Katie Clegg; three great grandchildren, Nicholas, Nathaniel, and Hayden Clegg; a brother-in-law, Ronald Dirks of Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, and her dear friends, Millie, Helen, Charlene, Chris, and Brian. , Frances was the sister of the late Marion Dirks, Norman Gerrish, and Gerald Gerrish. FUNERAL NOTICE BURKE—In N. Billerica, December 18, 2012, Frances G. (Gerrish) Burke, 83, a resident of South Lowell and the wife of the late Robert J. Burke. Family and friends may attend a Memorial Visitation at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, on SATURDAY MORNING from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Frances’ FUNERAL MASS will follow at 11 A.M at HOLY FAMILY PARISH – ST. MARIE’S CHURCH, corner of Chamberlain and Grafton Sts. Lowell. Her burial service will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Frances’ memory may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, Mass Chapter, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com