BANGOR and BAR HARBOR Irene (Cyr) Burke of Bangor died of natural causes Saturday, March 1, 2008, at a Bar Harbor health care facility. Irene was born Jan. 19, 1921, in Fort Kent, the daughter of Alphonse Cyr and Anne Cyr (Marquis). Irene was a graduate of John Bapst High School, Beal’s Business College and Maine State Beauty Academy, as well as a lifelong member of St. John’s Catholic Church. Irene was married to the late Dr. John E. Burke of Bangor and lived for a short time in both Youngstown, Ohio, and Anchorage, Alaska, prior to resettling in Bangor to raise her family. As a young woman, Irene enjoyed a career at Bangor Telephone Co. In later years, she became active in local politics and served four consecutive terms as treasurer for Penobscot County. She is survived by her son, Matthew Burke and his wife, Mary, and their children, Eoin, Evelyn and Brendan of Geigertown, Pa.; daughter, Aimee Walls and her husband, Robert, Walls; and granddaughter, Marian Dorr of Bar Harbor; daughter, Mary Jane Perry and husband, Glenn, and their children, Gwen and Faye of Falmouth; daughter-in-law, Susan Burke and her children, John III, Jackie, Joseph and Jill of Holden; and granddaughter, Lacey Burke of New York City; and her mother, Rose Nelson of Augusta. She is also survived by her sisters, Billie Lynch of Bangor, Madeline Rogers of Phoenix City, Ala., and Jackie MacDonald of Ports-mouth, N.H.; in addition to many nieces and nephews. Irene was predeceased by her former husband, John; sons, Martin and John II; daughters, Patricia and Constance; and siblings, Bernard Cyr and Bernadette Volhurbst (Cyr). Irene and her rare sense of wit, humor and insight will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. The family would like to express their thanks to the compassionate staff at Sonogee Rehab and Living Center, Hancock County Homecare and Hospice and Hospice Volunteer Program. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 3, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Bangor, with the Rev. Roland Nadeau, Catholic chaplain of St. Joseph Hospital, celebrant. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at St. John’s parish hall after the service. Those who wish to remember Irene in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Maine Action Coalition For People With Disabilities, 1160 Ohio St., Apt. 102, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
IRENE BURKE
