Donna Burke

Much loved daughter of the late Donald MacKenzie, Sr. and the late Kathleen (Fealy) MacKenzie.
Adoring sister of the late Donald MacKenzie, Jr.

Devoted wife of Charles “Chuck” Burke for just 3 months shy of 68 years.
Loving mother of Kelly (Jim) Michie, Tammi (Stephen) Dawson, Dawn (Kurt) Irelan, the late Kerry Burke, the late Shannon Burke, and Erin (Jerry Reed) Burke.

Cherished grandmother, “Granny”, of Brian Michie, Tyler Michie, Daniel Michie, Timothy (Claire) Dawson, Christian (Erin Walta) Dawson, Kwin (Jeff) Martini, Mackenzie Irelan, Nolan (Michelle) Irelan, Michael (Kathleen) Schumacher, and Shay (Mario) Baregi.
Proud great grandmother, “GiGi”, of Theo and Isla Dawson, Brooks and Hayes Martini, and a baby girl due in May.

Dear aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Treasured friend of many.

Donna was born in Chicago into a loving family as the second of two children.
She attended Pierce Grade School where she began her speed skating career, was a cheerleader at Senn High School, and attained her Registered Nurse degree at Westly Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.
Donna excelled at a variety of sports but particularly as a speed skater. 
When Donna was 11 years old she contracted Polio and was told by the doctors that she would never walk again. However, being the strong and determined person that she has always been, she went on to win the National Speed Skating Championship the very next year!
Donna won numerous accolades as a speed skater including several national championships and a North American Championship!
Her greatest prize from her speed skating days however was winning the heart of the boy she fell in love with when she was 11 years old, Chuck Burke.
For years she was just Chuck’s cousin’s pesky little friend but when Chuck returned from Europe after serving in the Army and competing in the Olympics 1952 in Oslo, Norway, he discovered that she was not so little anymore and they eventually began to date.
He was her Knight in Shining Armor, her hero, her partner, her best friend, and her biggest supporter.
On May 18, 1957, Chuck and Donna were married at Holy Name Cathedral and began their married life together.
Soon they were blessed with 6 daughters.
In 1962 Chuck and Donna moved their brood to Northbrook, Illinois, where, having lost two of their daughters as babies, they raised 4 daughters in the neighborhood of Northbrook West and formed lifelong friends over the 50 years they resided there.
Donna had many interests and community involvements including working as a nurse at Dr. Ryan’s office for several decades, CPR instructor, President of the District 21 PTA, President of the Northbrook Nurses Club, Northbrook Civic Association Citizen of the Year Award, Speed Skating Coach for the Northbrook and Park Ridge Speed Skating Clubs.
Donna was a little lady who loved big! She loved big, she laughed big, she lived big!
It seemed there was nothing she could not do. She sewed clothes for her children, she attended every gymnastic meet and skating meet, she took her family to church every Sunday, she survived cancer, she managed a household while working outside the home and serving the community, she created and nurtured a family with love and strength. 
Donna and Chuck lived a full life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Together the family traveled, camped, sailed, played games, and enjoyed life.
Her daughters were her pride and joy, and her grandchildren took her pride to another level.
Donna loved her family fiercely and she was loved back equally.

… Donna will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, but she will live on in those she loved.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 3:00pm until 9:00pm at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home, 9568 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, IL, 60131.
A Prayer Service will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, 11:00am at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home, 9568 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, IL, 60131.
Interment at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL, 60016, will follow the Prayer Service.

Donna requested that any donations be given to the Northbrook Speed Skating Club or the Covenant Living Benevolent Fund.