BURKE, Alice Anne
August 6, 1937 ~ February 12, 2010
A great mother, wonderful grandmother, loving sister and mother-in-law passed away peacefully in her 72nd year at St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox. Survived by her sons, William "Bill" Jr. (Mary) Vancouver, Washington, Michael (Jennifer), Courtenay, Kenneth (Norma) Wichita Falls, Texas. Also survived by a brother James (Janelle), Battle Ground, Washington. Sisters Roberta, Portland, Oregon and Joan (Gary), Happy Valley, Oregon. Granddaughters Alicia, Courtenay and Kathleen, Trenton, Ontario. Grandsons Dennis, Freiberg, Germany and Juan, Jacksonville, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, USA and Saudi Arabia. Predeceased by her loving husband William "Bill" Sr (1982), Sister Phyllis (1990).
Mom was the youngest of three children born to James and Frances (Parsons) Doney, Centralia Washington. In 1955 she graduated from Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington. Mom and Dad were married on 17 March 1957 in Vancouver, Washington then moved to Calgary, Alberta. Later they settled in Victoria where Dad was stationed during his 25 years in the Royal Canadian Navy. Upon retirement in 1977 they moved to Vancouver, Washington. Mom retired to the Comox Valley area in 1995. During Mom's work years she was a diligent bookkeeper and payroll clerk who worked for various auto dealers in Canada and the USA. Mom was a very kind hearted person who always put family, especially the children first and graciously volunteered her time. Mom spent time volunteering as a Sunday school teacher but her biggest joy was her nine year involvement in the St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. Mom's favourite past times included gardening and taking her dogs "Mikey" and "Merlin" for walks through MacDonald Woods and Simms Park, the latter being her favourite. Mom's most passionate time of the year was Christmas where she would show her greatest thoughfulness to everyone by pulling out all the stops, a feat that will be hard to duplicate. Mom will be sadly missed by all.
A Service of Remembrance and Celebration of Mom's life will take place on Thursday February 18th at 1300 at Comox Valley Funeral Home. Mom's ashes will rest with her beloved husband in Calgary, Alberta at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations in behalf of Alice Burke can be made to the BC SPCA, 1668 Ryan Road East,Comox, B.C. V9N 7Z8. The family would like to express sincere appreciation and thanks to the 3rd floor nursing staff at St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox for the loving care and the comfort given to our mother during her final days.