In Memory of Sister Roberta Burke

November 26, 1916 – July 31, 2012

Sister Mary Roberta Burke, 95, daughter of Tom and Elizabeth Burke, was born Mary Bella Lorraine on November 26, 1916, in Chicago, IL. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation in June 1932 and professed her perpetual vows on February 5, 1938.

She received her BS from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, WI, and her MS from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO. Her Presentation career, spanning 52 years, took her to Farley, Whittemore, Clare, Lawler, Mason City, Humboldt, St. Columbkille in Dubuque (1955-1956), Algona, Wahlert High School in Dubuque (1965-1971), all in Iowa and Montebello, CA. Her ministries included teacher, principal and home care assistant.

Sister Roberta had a special gift for working with the elderly and after her retirement to Mount Loretto in 1984 she continued with this ministry for many years. She also collected cancelled stamps to raise funds for Presentation mission projects for the poor. She enjoyed playing cards, watching TV game shows, praying with her prayer groups and listening to spiritual tapes. Sister Roberta celebrated her 75th Jubilee in 2008 and stated, “I’ve been blessed in my life and have received much more than I’ve given. I am truly grateful for the countless blessings of these last 75 years of religious life.”

Surviving are cousins, friends, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 80 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Marie Burke.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, IA 52001 or online at www.dubuquepresentations.org.