HAMPDEN and NEWBURGH – Frances Clara (Emerson) Burke, 90, passed away March 9, 2011, surrounded by her family at a Bangor hospital. She was born July 8, 1920, in Bangor, daughter of the late George A. and Grace R. (Fernald) Emerson.
Frannie was a graduate of Hermon High School, Class of 1939. She lived in Hampden, where she raised her family and later moved to Newburgh. Along with being a wonderful and devoted mother, Frannie also found time to work at Freese’s department store, Bangor, for many years. Frances was a life member of Whitcomb-Baker Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4633 Ladies Auxiliary, Hampden, Eastern Star Grange, the former Star in the East Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Hampden, and Coldbrook Road Christmas Club. She enjoyed life, going for rides, looking for deer, music, clamming and flowers, but most of all she was very proud of her children and was always telling everyone that would listen about them. Frannie will be remembered for her love of family, friends and country, as she was proud to be an American and a patriot.
Frances is survived by her beloved children, Jackie L. Shockley and husband, Bill, of Berlin, Md., Joyce R. Getchell and husband, Clinton, of Ocean City, Md., Joseph M. Burke and wife, Cindi, of Newburgh, Julie G. Burke Jellison and husband, Michael, of Hampden, James A. Burke II and wife, Suzanne, of Berlin, Md., and John F. Burke and wife, Carol, of Powellville, Md.; one brother, Robert L. Emerson of Orrington; 15 grandchildren, Kelly, Heidi, Clinton, Kala, Karen, J.D., Jeffery, Tanna, Troy, Tyler, Julie, Melissa, Patti, John and Dan; 22 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins; two special sisters-in-law, Jan Emerson and Babe Porter; and Jack Barrows, whom Frannie thought of as another son. She was predeceased by her husband, James A. Burke, in 1959; her longtime companion, Robert Ayer; grandson, Brian Miles Young; and 10 brothers and sisters. The Burke family gives a heartfelt thank you to Maine Veterans Home and St. Joseph Hospital staff for the wonderful and loving care their mother received.
Family and friends may visit 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 11, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, with the Rev. Robert T. Carlson officiating. Interment in the springtime will be at Locust Grove Cemetery, Hampden. It was Frannie’s request and her children’s that memorial contributions be made to Maine Veterans Home Activities Department, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through
www.hampdengilpatrick.com