1921 – 2016
MEXICO — Rita M. Burke, 94, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 16, as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident in Mexico. She was a resident of the River Road in Mexico.
She was born on April 5, 1921, the daughter of Louis and Isabel Chicoine of Livermore Falls. She married Gard Burke at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay on Nov. 16, 1943, and they subsequently built their own home on River Road in Mexico, where they lived the rest of their lives and raised five children. Gard passed away in 1991.
She was a homemaker who raised five children and later in life worked as a cafeteria aide at Mexico High School and the Senior Center in Rumford.
Family and friends were the love of her life and the house was often full of laughter and joy. She was a great cook, and was well-known for her desserts and breads. In addition, she was known for her dramatic cathedral quilts that she gave to family and friends. She loved to read, play cards, and enjoyed doing word search puzzles and the jumble.
Surviving are her children James Burke and his wife, Pamela, of South Paris, Robert Burke and his wife, Lynn, of New Jersey, Susan Burke and her partner, Laird Robinson, of Bellingham, Wash., Michael Burke and his companion, Elizabeth Davis, of Auburn, David Burke and his wife, Ruth, of Auburn; three sisters, Theresa McKenna and her husband, Richard, of Jay, Doris Wilson of North Carolina, and Arlene Landry and her husband, Albert, of Jay; a brother, Roger Chicoine and his wife, Vivian, of Livermore Falls; sister-in-law, Judy Chicoine of Jay; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her son, John Burke; granddaughter, Annie Robinson; brothers, Armand Chicoine and Clarence Chicoine; and a sister, Christine Harlow.
Friends and relatives are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.
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