Obituary of Eileen F. Burke

Eileen Burke (Aunt Eileen) passed away on April 30, 2016 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 99 in her own home. Eileen is survived by her six nieces and nephews, Thomas , Joseph , Patricia, Elizabeth, Mary and John, great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Thomas Burke and her sister Elizabeth Kobell. Eileen was born on October 27, 1916 in the Bronx, New York to Thomas Joseph Burke and Nellie Kane Burke. Eileen was an accomplished singer and was invited to join the Tommy Dorsey Band. However, she followed her love for the church and joined the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt of New York. There she was a passionate teacher for children with mild to severe vision disabilities and pursed this vocation for more than 50 years in New York and Texas. She was a dorm mother to foster boys in Blauvelt New York, taught at Lavelle school for the blind, Catholic charities of New York as well as the Jewish Community Center of New York. She ended her career working in Amarillo, Texas working for the Texas State Commission for the Blind. Eileen had an undergrad from Dominican College and Masters Degree from Fordham University. Ms. Burke had a great zest for life, family and God. This was epitomized by her exuberance at playing football with her nieces, nephews and neighborhood children, habit flowing and crucifix swinging wildly. She would entertain her nieces and nephews at the convent on weekends, where they remember 5 gallon tubs of ice cream in every flavor imaginable. Eileen had a quick Irish wit, the twinkle of joy in her eye and always enjoyed 'just a taste' of Seagram's Seven in the evening, her evening ritual Happy Hour. Visitation hours for Ms. Burke will be Tuesday evening, May 3, at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for family and friends. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Eileen will be buried in the family cemetery at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Eileen's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Catholic Charity of Dallas. The family would like to thank the many, many friends and staff at Preston Tower. The family would also like to thank Eduardo and Blanquita from Christ the King Catholic Church for their long term friendship.