Barbara Elizabeth Burke

It is with extreme sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful and phenomenal daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend, Barbara Elizabeth Burke on Sunday, May 26, 2013. Barbara was born in Sydney on December 23, 1994 to her extremely proud parents, Ray and Roselyn Burke. Barbara will always be remembered for her infectious laugh and a smile that would light up any room she entered. To Barbara's parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, she never left their presence without saying 'I love you'. She was a shining star at everything she put her hands to. Her love of sports allowed her to participate with BEC Senior Cheerleaders and BEC Senior Basketball. She loved little kids and took pride in helping her grandfather Mar Mar coach a basketball team. Barbara's other interest included Interact Club, working part-time at Ricki's, Mayflower Mall. We are proud to say that Barbara has always been committed to her school work and would have graduated from BEC this June as an honour student. One of her true passions was her love of music. Being a member of the BEC Senior band and Jazz band was the highlight of her school day. Being dedicated to the school bands came easy for Barbara and she was awarded for this during the spring concert by receiving the Dedication Award. The band room was a meeting place for Barbara and her special band family. Music gave Barbara the encouragement to learn how to jive and 2-step, something her loving mother will truly miss doing with her. Barbara loved her family, cherished every opportunity she had to spend time with them, which included boat rides and swimming on the mira, bonfires and great conversations sitting on the deck. Barbara is survived by her proud and most loving parents, Ray and Roselyn (Poirier) Burke, her best friend and sister Brittany, loving great-grandmothers Liz Poirier and Chris Burke, her devoted grandparents Marshall and Betty (McDonald) Poirier and Winston and Rhona (McDonald) Burke, loving uncle Ronnie (Jeney Rodriguez-Garcia), loving aunt Karen (Cecil) Wilson, and loving uncle Gavin (Crystal) McDonald, cousins Aiden, Madison, and especially cousins Adam, Ryan and Jocelyn Wilson, they were like her little brothers and sister, many special great aunts, uncles and cousins who loved Barbara so much. Barbara is also survived by her many angels who she adored and loved so much, her 'Special Friends', Pam and Tony Bailey, who were like second parents to her and they loved her dearly. She was predeceased by her loving grandmother Barbara Burke, great-grandfathers Tass Poirier and Frank Burke, great-grandmothers Betty McDonald and Helen Mugford. Cremation has taken place and visitation will be held Thursday, May 30th from 2-4 and 7-9 pm and a funeral mass to celebrate Barbara's life will be Friday, May 31st at 10 am in the parish of Saint Leonard, Mount Carmel Ave, with Father Ray Huntley officiating. Internment in St. Michael's cemetery followed by a luncheon at the K.O.C., Plummer Ave. All are welcome. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McLellan Brothers Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford 862-7500. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Barbara's memory to Breton Education Centre Scholastic Fund or Breton Ed. Band.