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Kristen Burke Obituary
JAMESTOWN — Kristen C. Burke, 24, received her ultimate healing in the arms of Jesus Christ her Savior on Friday, October 8, 2010 at Wesley Long Hospital after enduring a courageous 5 ½ year battle with Medullo Blastoma.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 4 p.m. at Gate City Baptist Church, with Dr. Steve Pressley officiating. Entombment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, feel free to wear Carolina blue.
Kristen was born July 7, 1986 in Greensboro, the daughter of Jonathan H. "Hal" and Cindy Whicker Burke. She graduated from Southwest Guilford High School and UNC-Chapel Hill were she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. She was a third year pharmacy student at UNC-Chapel Hill and enjoyed cheering for her beloved Tar Heels.
Her infectious smile, unwavering courage, and determination has been an inspiration to us all. She will always be remembered for her wit, humor and positive attitude.
Kristen was preceded in death by her grandfathers, R. Harold Burke and Aaron E. Whicker. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving parents, Hal and Cindy Burke; sister, Meredith Burke of Chapel Hill; paternal grandmother, Pauline Burke of Kernersville, and maternal grandmother, Carolyn Whicker of Greensboro; aunts Sandra, LuAnn, Janice and Paula; cousins Jessica, Austin; and numerous other family members and friends that she cherished deeply.
The family wants to express their gratitude to the doctors and nurses at WFBMC, Duke, and ICU/Palliative Care units at Wesley Long for their wonderful care during her illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, DUMC, Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710 and The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, 302 Ridgefield Ct, Asheville, NC 28806
Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is assisting the Burke family.
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Robby and Lauren (Kahn) Hollowell
October 26, 2010
Dear Cindy, Hal, Meredith and Family,
We have been thinking of you often over the past weeks and months and will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Kristen's courage, strength, and positive attitude has been an inspiration for us and for many others. Her spirit lives on in all of us she touched. Take care,
Susan and Mark Lamb
October 26, 2010
Cindy, Hal and Family
Mark and I are so, so sorry to hear about Kristen. You are all in our prayers.
Bob, Donna and Lauren Hollowell
October 23, 2010
Dear Cindy, Hal and Meredith,
You have had our prayers over the last 5 plus years while Kristen fought her courageous battle. Our prayers continue as we all cherish the wonderful life that she had. We will continue to see the results of the many lives that she touched for a such a long time. It will assure us all that she is remembered and her spirit lives forever.
Louisa Allen
October 18, 2010
Cindy -- I am so sorry to hear of Kristen's passing. Dean M. has been updating me over these last months. My prayers have been with you and will continue to be for you, that you may find the strength you need to face each new day, and that your family and friends will be a comfort to you. I did not know Kristen, but her picture is just beautiful, as I am sure she was. With love,
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LARRY EDWARDS
October 12, 2010
HAL & CINDY BURKE,
MY PRAYERS GOES OUT TO YOU AND THE ENTIRE
BURKE FAMILY. MAY GOD CONTINUALLY BLESS
YOU.
(FAITH TABERNACLE PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS CHURCH)
Betty Brown Dameron
October 12, 2010
My prayers are with you all.
Joni Park
October 12, 2010
Cindy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you are very proud of Kristen, she was such a courageous person. May your memories bring you comfort. Joni Park - BB&T
Sherry Wall
October 12, 2010
I know how very proud you were of Kristen. I only knew her through her fathers praises while working together. I am so very sorry but knowing she is with the Lord and you will be together again brings comfort to a family in this time.
October 12, 2010
HAL IM AM SO SORRY FOR YOU LOSS.
PENNIE DOYLE STILL HERE AT THE CRAZY HOUSE (APL)
Sandy Abraham
October 12, 2010
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Christine Walko
October 12, 2010
Kristen's spirit will live on through the fond memories of all who knew her. I remember her coming into our UNC infusion room for a blood draw, sitting next to another young person just starting chemotherapy, and how Kristen comforted and inspired him in a way only she could. I am truly blessed to have known her and her personal strength and perseverance will remain an inspiration to others.
Stacy Putzakulish
October 11, 2010
Burke Family,
My prayers go out to you during this difficult time. I hope you find comfort in knowing that Kristen has. She was such an inspiring person and great friend and I am honored to call her my sister. We had a lot of great times in Sigma together, but the one memory that stands out in my head the most is the time she came to visit sophomore year and bumped her head on the bunk bed. She was ok (I'm sure you remember the late night phone calls from this incident!), but we spent the entire night in the ER together and talked and bonded for hours during all the down time. KB had a sense of humor like no other and despite everything she was going through, went out of her way to comfort her friends. Her presence in my life has truly made me a better person, as I'm sure many others would agree. KB will never be forgotten. SLAM
Janet Degraffenreid
October 11, 2010
Lu,
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Kristen was truely a blessing to all.
Toyin AC
October 11, 2010
Kristen, you are such a beautiful, and inspirational young woman. I pray that God will comfort your family through this time. You live on through the impact you made in our lives.
Michelle Bradsher
October 11, 2010
Dear Hal, Cindy and Family:
Kristen was such an awesome inspiration to everyone around her! She was full of fight and will continue to be in our hearts. Her story will forever be shared with many.
Nurse Clinician Brain Tumor Center Duke
Bonnie Goodnight
October 11, 2010
Hal and Cindy,
Kristen was one of the most courageous people I have ever met and I was blessed to have known her. I was reading the entry where the person spoke about Kristen "giving God an earful" that is so true-I can see her right now! My prayers are with you and I know God and all the memories of your awesome daughter will comfort and sustain you.
Lisa Sherrill
October 11, 2010
Hal, Cindy and Meredith--We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob Dupuis
October 11, 2010
My prayers and thoughts are with you during this hard time. Kristen was a fighter and hard worker. Despite everything she was going thru,she kept her sense of humor and tried to make others feel better. I wont forget her for that.
October 11, 2010
"I had contact with Kristin several times during her classes here at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. She impressed me as being a woman of great courage and determination. Kristin was a great inspiration to me and I'm certain to all who knew her for the manner in which she met her challenge. She will be missed by all." Richard Kowalsky (Chapel Hill, NC)
Peggy Wilson
October 11, 2010
Cindy, Hal and Meredith,
You have been in our thoughts & prayers for 5 1/2 years. The show of friends at the service yesterday was a testimonial to her life. It was very evident that she touched & inspired so many people in her short life. Now she is at peace and in no more pain. I know you will miss her, but what memories you have to hold on to. God Bless you!
Lisa Dinkins
October 11, 2010
My prayers are with you during this time of grieving. Kristen taught me a lot about courage and resilience in the face of trials. Her determination and will to succeed are a great example for all of us. I am so thankful to have known Kristen. I pray that you feel God's love and presence now and in the days ahead. Praise be to the One who will say "Talitha koum-- little girl, ARISE!"
Kirsten Nicholas
October 11, 2010
Kristen was and will always be an amazing source of inspiration for Sigma Sigma Simg. We will honor her memory and we cherish the time we have spent with her.
LuAnn Whicker
October 11, 2010
My Special Little Princess- You embraced and loved life to the fullest. No more "tick tock" for you !! Now it's your turn to "tick tock" and watch over me.
Love ya bunches !!
Ludie (Your Favorite Aunt!!)
Kimberly Mason
October 11, 2010
Sending prayers of Peace and Comfort to Kristen's Family... May the Lord wrap His arms around each of you during this time of sorrow. Kristen is now at rest...
Tim & Sandy Mann
October 10, 2010
Dear Burke Family,
Our family mourns with you a the loss of one of God's special people. When the song "I can only imagine" played at Kristen's service today, I thought "I could only imagine".... the earful God was getting from Kristen! She would say something like "Hey God, why didn't you leave me there longer so I could discover a chemo treatment that didn't make people sick or guaranteed a cure?" She would be upset because she still had work to do!
We will miss her and her sense of wonder and humor, dearly.
We wish you all peace.
S M
October 10, 2010
May you all find comfort in knowing that Kristen peacefully resides with the Lord. She will be remembered with love.
October 10, 2010
Cindy and Hal,
We are so extrmemely sorry about the loss of Kristen. Many times I heard how she was and had whipped this thing. She was a strong, courageous person who brought a special friendship to our daughter, Sarah for many years. All of you are in our prayers as her battle ends.
Paula and Shakil Qureshi
Phyllis Kranz
October 10, 2010
Carolyn and LuAnn,
I am so saddened to hear of Kristen's passing and want to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family. We have missed you at water aerobics and everyone asks about you. May God's peace be with you all at this difficult time. Heaven has received it's newest angel. Love, Phyllis
Bill & Lois Boland
October 10, 2010
Dear Hal, Cindy, Meredith, & Family. You all are and have been in our thoughts and prayers. We will continue to lift you up. Our hearts are sadden for your loss but we know Kristen is with our Heavenly Father. Much love and prayers
Johnnie Baskin
October 10, 2010
Cindy, Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts during this difficult time.
Eddie & Kathy Solomon
October 10, 2010
So sorry to hear of your extreme loss. Our daughter, Katelyn Solomon (Bucksot), graduated with Kristen from SW Guilford in 2004 and considered her a good friend. We know she has been courageously battling her illness and did it with grace, courage and perseverance with a positive attitude. We send our prayers for your strength and comfort and we hope you are sustained by your faith and the love and support of family and friends.
Eddie and Kathy Solomon
Katelyn Solomon (Bucksot) SW Guilford High Class of 2004
Chandler Solomon SW Guilford High Class of 2007
Grace Ho
October 10, 2010
Kristen you will be greatly missed. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace.
Joan Monroe
October 10, 2010
Praying for you and your family during this difficult time. I was made aware of Kristen's battle through one of her friends, Brittany Dabbs. I have viewed her photographs and know that she enjoyed and lived life to the fullest and was surrounded by the people she loved the most her family and friends. May she rest in peace in the arms of the angels who took her to her heavenly home on Friday. Will continue to pray for you and your family.
Margie Carter
October 10, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss and thinking about you and your family during this very difficult time.
October 10, 2010
Meredith, Cindy and Hal, We love you and our thoughts and prayers are with you. No words are right enough to express our feelings at this very difficult time. Please take faith in knowing that Kristen's short time here had purpose and meaning. Be joyful in the fact that she has touched and inspired so many. We pray for our Lord to give you strength and healing in your journey as you move forward. Love, Barbara Ann, Jim and Katie
Patrick Brown
October 10, 2010
Kristen was a great encouragement to the entire pharmacy school. I can honestly say that we are all better students, and people, for having known her.
C Lodestro
October 10, 2010
Blessings to all of you during this difficult time.
October 10, 2010
You will be missed.....
October 10, 2010
Kristen will be missed.......JEH
Dennis Williams
October 10, 2010
Kristen maintained a great outlook and an enduring will to succeed. You can be proud as she rests in peace.
Keith Cox
October 10, 2010
I am burning this candle in honor of Kristen's life!
Keith Cox
October 10, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of sadness.
Debbie Smith
October 9, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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