Paula
Paula Sheridan Burke
d. January 24, 2011
Paula Rose Sheridan Burke, a long-time resident of Athens, died Wednesday, April 13th 2011. Paula was born on October 4th, 1930 in Memphis, Tennessee to Eufaula Goldin Sheridan and Thomas A. Sheridan, and was raised in Miami, Florida where she graduated from Saint Peter and Paul High School in 1947.
Paula received her certificate in Nursing Education from Charity Hospital in New Orleans and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, she worked at Trinity University as the College nurse, and it was during this time that she met and married her beloved husband of fifty-four years, John David "Jack" Burke in 1956. After living in Lawrence, Massachusetts and Jacksonville, Florida, Paula and Jack moved to Athens in 1967, where they settled in the Forest Heights neighborhood and raised their six children.
Paula was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of Saint Joseph Catholic Church for over 40 years. She was an active member of the choir, one of its first female Eucharistic ministers, a catechist, god-mother and dedicated volunteer. Her involvement in the Saint Joseph community became the basis for many life-long friendships.
Paula's faith was the cornerstone of her life and the source of love for her family and friends. Born on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, she was committed to helping those in need and embraced the often-overlooked gifts that nature provided: the delicate beauty of the birds, the pageantry of wild flowers and the vibrant colors of spring and fall. She was a long-standing member of the Athens Choral Society, and an accomplished seamstress who especially loved to create gifts for her granddaughter. Above all, Paula cherished her family. Her beautiful voice, gentle presence and charitable wisdom brought comfort and joy to all who knew her.
Paula is survived by her children: Kevin Francis Burke and his wife, Yoshiko, Claire Frances Burke, Diana Frances Burke, Thomas Francis Burke, and Michael Francis Burke, by her granddaughter Mary Kathleen Fetch, niece Susan Lavelle and sons: John, Christopher, and Daniel. Paula lost her oldest daughter Kathleen Frances Burke in 1982, and her beloved Jack passed away on January 24th, 2011.
There will be a family visitation at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home West on Thursday, April 28th from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., and the Wake/Vigil Service will be held Thursday evening at the University of Georgia Catholic Center on Lumpkin Street beginning at 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, April 29th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Committal will follow immediately at Evergreen Memorial Park with a reception afterwards at the family home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Paula's memory to the Kathy Burke Memorial Scholarship, Immaculata University, 1145 King Road, Immaculata, PA 19345-0733.
Lord and Stephens, WEST, is in charge of arrangements.
Paula received her certificate in Nursing Education from Charity Hospital in New Orleans and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, she worked at Trinity University as the College nurse, and it was during this time that she met and married her beloved husband of fifty-four years, John David "Jack" Burke in 1956. After living in Lawrence, Massachusetts and Jacksonville, Florida, Paula and Jack moved to Athens in 1967, where they settled in the Forest Heights neighborhood and raised their six children.
Paula was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of Saint Joseph Catholic Church for over 40 years. She was an active member of the choir, one of its first female Eucharistic ministers, a catechist, god-mother and dedicated volunteer. Her involvement in the Saint Joseph community became the basis for many life-long friendships.
Paula's faith was the cornerstone of her life and the source of love for her family and friends. Born on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, she was committed to helping those in need and embraced the often-overlooked gifts that nature provided: the delicate beauty of the birds, the pageantry of wild flowers and the vibrant colors of spring and fall. She was a long-standing member of the Athens Choral Society, and an accomplished seamstress who especially loved to create gifts for her granddaughter. Above all, Paula cherished her family. Her beautiful voice, gentle presence and charitable wisdom brought comfort and joy to all who knew her.
Paula is survived by her children: Kevin Francis Burke and his wife, Yoshiko, Claire Frances Burke, Diana Frances Burke, Thomas Francis Burke, and Michael Francis Burke, by her granddaughter Mary Kathleen Fetch, niece Susan Lavelle and sons: John, Christopher, and Daniel. Paula lost her oldest daughter Kathleen Frances Burke in 1982, and her beloved Jack passed away on January 24th, 2011.
There will be a family visitation at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home West on Thursday, April 28th from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., and the Wake/Vigil Service will be held Thursday evening at the University of Georgia Catholic Center on Lumpkin Street beginning at 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, April 29th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Committal will follow immediately at Evergreen Memorial Park with a reception afterwards at the family home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Paula's memory to the Kathy Burke Memorial Scholarship, Immaculata University, 1145 King Road, Immaculata, PA 19345-0733.
Lord and Stephens, WEST, is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Paula Sheridan Burke, please visit our flower store.
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