Lorraine Kovolisky Burdge

Lorraine Kovolisky Burdge Obituary 9-28-2025
Lorraine Burdge, 88 years old, passed away peacefully in her home in Duxbury, Monday, September 29, 2025, with her family at her side. She was born on August 14, 1937, in Kearny, NJ, to Harry and Lilliam Tillberg, the oldest of seven children. Her husband of 31 years, Dalton Burdge, her two remaining siblings, and her 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren will dearly miss her sharp intelligence, her love, and her thoughtfulness.
Lorraine married Paul Kovolisky in 1954 and resided in Parsippany, NJ (Lake Hiawatha) for 18 years, before moving to Whippany, NJ. As a registered nurse for 32 years, Lorraine cared for thousands of patients in Morristown Memorial Hospital, NJ and in various specialty medical doctors' offices. Lorraine was widowed in 1990 when her husband died in a car crash.
She soon retired to Southern Pines, NC in her early 60's where she established a new life with her new husband Dalton Burdge and enjoyed carefree living, travel and golfing for a period. Lorraine could master just about anything and golfing was a favorite that she learned at 62 and won several tournaments at Long Leaf Country Club.
When she moved to Pine Hills Great Island, Plymouth, MA at 69, gardening and the Great Island Garden Club and Canoe Landing Road neighbors became her world. She enjoyed the camaraderie of the Club and loved the friendships she formed with her neighbors. Volunteering became a passion, with more than 1600 hours logged at Beth Israel Deaconess (BID) Hospital, Plymouth MA. She was a board member of the Great Island Garden Club and supported just about every event it sponsored. During this time, she crocheted 925 infant hats for Boston born babies.
As the matriarch of a devoted, large family, her love was enduring and most importantly she was always there to support and help with sage advice. She had the opportunity to celebrate the new life of each grandchild and great grandchild. Most of all she taught her family how to love deeply and instilled a strong work ethic.
Lorraine is pre-deceased by her parents, her first husband and father of her children Paul Kovolisky, and 4 siblings. She is survived by her husband, Dalton Burdge, The Village at Duxbury, MA, and two siblings, Barbara Bitz of Cranford, NJ and Robert Tillberg of Largo, FL.
She is also survived by her cherished children, Linda Brodie (Glenn) Duxbury, MA; Susan Quinlan (Denis) Canaan, NH; Paul Kovolisky, Kearny, NJ; and David Kovolisky (Laura), Chester Township, NJ. As well as her grandchildren Kate Brodie (Spike) NC, Sprague Brodie (Matt) NY, Beth Sattely (Michael) CA, Josh Sattely (Eula) NH, Lauren Sattely (Troy) WA, Emilee Davidson (Mike) NJ, David Kovolisky (Abby) NJ, Sarah Lazzara (Doug) NJ, and Jacob Kovolisky, WA. Her great grandchildren are Olivia, Isabel, Alieze, Miles, Leo, Theo, Finley, Adeline, Sawyer, Alden, Ellie, Milo and Mia. She will always be remembered as "Big Grandma". As the oldest of seven children, Lorraine (Aunt Rainy) has dozens of nieces and nephews, many of whom she maintained a strong connection with until the day she died.
Resourceful, with perseverance into her 80's Lorraine could figure out how to do just about anything – set up a network hub, complete evil Sudokus, configure a printer, learn Microsoft Word, play chess, design online brochures, make a quilt– you name it, and she would get it done.
She never went anywhere empty handed – a gift, a baked good or token of her appreciation. She loved to entertain, and her heart and pride was always in her home and gardens. Shortly after moving to the Village of Duxbury, where she made many new friends, she volunteered at the age of 86 at the Duxbury Thrift Shop.
Lorraine was beautiful woman until the day she died, during her last few days she was able to sing "If I had my life to do over, I'd do the same things again". The family is deeply grateful for Cranberry Hospice, Plymouth, MA
A Celebration of life will be announced soon.