Sister Maria Burke

April 11, 1945 - March 30, 2012

Sr. Maria, Mary Theresa Burke, Holy Spirit Missionary Sister for 45 years, died peacefully on March 30, 2012 after a long illness. She was the beloved daughter of the late William Joseph and Mary Alice Burke; fond sister of William (Marilyn), Thomas (Barbara), Robert (Victoria), and the late James, Kenneth and Sheila.. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and good friends. Missioned to Papua New Guinea from 1970 to 1990, she taught at Malala High School, was novice director for Sisters of St. Theresa, a Congregation of New Guinea women, and later director of the Melanesian Institute. After returning to the United States, she completed work for a doctorate at Catholic Theological Union and served as Director for the Propagation of the Faith, Catholic Missions of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Funeral Information

Visitation and wake service will be held at the Convent of the Holy Spirit, 319 Waukegan Road, Northfield, IL on Tuesday, April 3, at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.