Dorothy R. Burke

Dorothy R. Burke Billerica Athletic Hall of Famer, 1996; 87 BILLERICA Dorothy R. (Ward) Burke, age 87, died Wednesday, at the Radius Northwood Healthcare Center, after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Joseph M. Burke Jr. a retired Billerica Police Lieutenant. She was born in N. Billerica, January 20, 1921, daughter of the late John H. and Anna V. (Coffey) Ward, and lived in Billerica all of her life. Mrs. Burke was a graduate of Howe High School in Billerica class of 1940 and was a standout Basketball player having earned the nickname "Dead-eye Dottie" on the State Championship Team. She was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. She is survived by her son, John Burke, a retired Billerica Firefighter and his wife, Debra of Tyngsboro; her grandchildren, Justine Femia, Joseph M. Burke IV, William Paskiewicz, BFD, Kristen Sullivan and her husband, Kevin, Michael Paskiewicz and his wife, Karen, John Burke Jr. and Jennifer Leaver; her great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, Alison and Julia Paskiewicz, Amanda Sullivan, Joseph Burke V and Sarah Femia; her sister-in-law, Geraldine Ward; and many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Mrs. Burke was the mother of the late JoAnn Paskiewicz and Joseph M. Burke III, a retired Billerica Police Officer, sister of the late John, Richard, Leon, Robert "Mac", and Edward Ward, Margaret Redman, and Ruth Martell, and great grandmother of the late Amanda Femia. BURKE Of N. Billerica, Sept. 17, Dorothy R. (Ward) Burke, wife of the late Joseph M. Burke Jr. Funeral Monday from the SWEENEY MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 66 Concord Rd., Billerica at 9 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Andrew's Church at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 2-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew's Church, 45 Talbot Ave., Billerica, MA 01862. Burial in Fox Hill Cemetery, Billerica. Funeral Directors W.J. and Dean M. Laurendeau.