My Auntie Nora

Nora Burke 1915 - 2009 HOLYOKE - Mrs. Nora (Lavelle) Burke, 93, formerly of 582 Pleasant Street, died at Mt. St. Vincent Care Center, Wednesday, December 23, 2009. She is the widow of John P. Burke (1990). Born in Mullaghroe, Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Ireland, December 29, 1915, she was the daughter of the late John and Ann (Barrett) Lavelle. Nora was educated in Ireland and she and John immigrated to Holyoke with their four children in 1950 where they resided for the rest of their years. Nora loved lively family gatherings, filled with music and laughter. Nora leaves two sons, Sean and his wife Rita of Amherst, Desmond of Holyoke, two daughters, Ann Lowe of Holyoke and Mary Hallahan and her husband Philip of Longmeadow. She also leaves her sister Annie Keane of Clogher, Belmullet, Ireland, sisters-in-law Sadie Sheridan of Belmullet, Delia Lavelle of England, and Mary Lavelle of Mullaghroe. Nora was predeceased by siblings Patrick, Anthony, and Bridget Rowan, of Ireland, Peter and Michael of England, and John, Mary Cadigan, and Catherine Geeleher of Holyoke. She was also predeceased by son-in-law Richard Lowe and daughter-in-law Shirley Burke of Holyoke. She leaves ten cherished grandchildren, Kelly Lowe O'Sullivan, Heather Lowe, Desmond, Erin and Anna Burke, Nick O'Connor, Jake Pawlowski, Conor Burke and Jennifer and Philip Hallahan. She leaves five great grandchildren with a sixth due in January. Nora also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins both here and in Ireland. Nora's family wishes to extend thanks to the Mt. St. Vincent Care Center, especially the second floor staff, for their loving and compassionate care of their mother and grandmother. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. St. Vincent Resident Council Fund, 35 Holy Family Road, Holyoke, MA 01040, or Holy Cross Church, 23 Sycamore Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. The funeral will be Monday, December 28 from the James P. Hobert and Sons Funeral Home, 250 Suffolk Street, Holyoke, MA 01040, with mass at Holy Cross Church at 10am. Burial will follow at St. Jerome's Cemetery. Calling hours will be 2-6 pm Sunday, December 27.