Gloria Anna Burke

Gloria Burke, nee Cirillo, of Raleigh died peacefully at home on June 1st after a short illness. Gloria is survived by her beloved children: her daughter Laura and her husband Brian of Raleigh, and her son Christopher of New London, CT. She also leaves her cherished grandson Gabriel and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, with whom she enjoyed a wonderful 54-year marriage.

Gloria was born and grew up in the Bronx, New York to a tight-knit Italian-American family. She met her husband at the Stardust Ballroom in New York City. She spotted Jack across the room in a dapper glen plaid suit and hoped he would ask her to dance. She soon got a tap on the shoulder and danced for the first time with the love of her life. They made a life together in the Bronx, having a son and then a daughter. Jack worked as a food salesman and she worked as a receptionist at a beauty salon, later becoming a floral designer. In 1997, the couple moved to Raleigh, NC to be near their daughter and her family.

In her later years, she loved to travel. She traveled to Europe several times and connected with her family in Italy. It was important to her to know where her family had come from.

Closer to home, she loved spending time with her grandson Gabriel, who she said was "the best thing that ever happened" to her. Her wish was that she would live long enough for Gabriel to remember her. She got her wish, celebrating Gabriel's 18th birthday in February.

Gloria also became an accomplished craftswoman who sold her wares at local fairs and boutiques. She took classes in pottery and loved visiting antique fairs and incorporating her finds into her new projects.

She was an avid poker player who enjoyed an occasional vodka tonic at the card table. One of her favorite things to do was to go to Las Vegas with family. These trips included a recent visit to a sub-zero vodka bar wearing fur coats and hats, and concerts to see stars like Cher and Elton John.

Gloria always maintained her glamorous appearance and her age was a well-kept secret. She once spent a full day in the famous Elizabeth Arden spa in NYC while her daughter patiently waited outside. The idea of letting her hair go gray was out of the question.

Gloria will be missed most for her chutzpah and her ability to live in the moment. She never let an opportunity for fun slip by, and was famous for saying, "That's a terrible idea - what time?"

Funeral arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, Gloria would so appreciate a donation to one of her favorite causes, Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue in Fletcher, NC.

https://charliesangelsanimalrescue.com/donate/