Alma Burke

ALMA IRENE (DOYLE) BURKE Born in Philadelphia, PA on March 28,1916 and left this world on October 24, 2010. Alma moved to California at age 3 and lived in the Los Angeles area most of her life. Although she was primarily a homemaker, she was also a talented seamstress and regularly made alterations for many well-known Hollywood celebrities. Alma and her husband, Bob, moved to Orange County in the early 1970\'s. They retired in the mid-eighties and moved to Sun City. Alma was always an artist with a needle and thread-making clothes, designing hats, knitting and crocheting. She also did a little drawing and painting. Once retired, she discovered how much she loved to paint and worked diligently to develop her skills as a painter. She mastered many different styles and techniques, winning many awards. Alma was extremely active in the Sun City Art Guild seeking opportunities to build awareness of the variety of artists living here by putting on art shows and being involved in an assortment of community events. Alma also loved her Japanese inspired garden with its bridges and beautiful trees with hanging blossoms and Koi pond. Alma was predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Bertha (Treffeisen) Massey, her husband, Robert and her brother, Bill. Alma is survived by her son, Stephen Burke, and architect and his wife, Beverly Burke, also an artist, who split their time between homes in Rhode Island and New York City; and their children, a daughter, Lauren Burke, a writer, and a son, Nicholas Burke, a basketball coach, both in New York City. Also surviving Alma are her sister-in-law, Audrey Doyle of Orange County, CA and Audrey\'s two sons, Lloyd and Gary Doyle and their wives, Sharon and Mary. As Alma wished, there will be no service. The disposition of her remains, together with those of her beloved husband, Bob, will occur privately at a later date. Alma\'s memory will live on through her many works of art and the beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers in her garden. She hopes many of you will be inspired to create or plant something in her memory. The family would also like to give special thanks to her long time friends and neighbors who cared for and visited Alma during her final illness.