Mary Louise Burke Dies at 93; Foxborough Resident for Nearly 45 Years

Mary Louise Burke, 93, wife of the late James A. Burke and daughter of the late Frederick and Helen Martin, was born in Attleborough on March 18, 1920.

She was a graduate of Attleborough High School, class of 1938, and the Massachusetts College of Art, class of 1941. Shortly after graduating from Massachusetts College of Art, she was asked to join the war effort, drawing bomb schematics.

Although a fashion illustrator, while at Mass Art she took mandatory mechanical drawing. Once the war broke out, there were few trained technical drawerers. So, in support of the war effort, she moved to Baltimore and worked for GTE Sylvania.

After the war, she returned to Boston working as a fashion illustrator, until she met her future husband, James. They moved to the Boston area, settling in Foxborough, a place they found perfect for raising their children. Once the last child went off to school, Mary returned to school, herself, and earned her teaching credentials.

She was a long-time substitute teacher in the Mansfield Public Schools, until she turned her attention to the burgeoning high tech industry, and took a position at Codex Corporation, retiring in the late 1980s.

Mary lived in Foxborough for nearly 45 years, before moving to Mansfield, and finally to an assisted living facility in Norton. She was a frequent visitor of both the Foxborough and Mansfield Senior Centers, and enjoyed a large social circle. She was indomitable, keeping her social calendar full, and her independence intact.

Mary was a devoted 4-H volunteer, as both a club leader and active county participant. Her family was her greatest joy. She had three children, but her home was always filled with many more.

She is survived by Mary H. Connor, and her husband Paul of Foxborough; Lenora McKenna and her husband James of Arlington; and Alfred Gillis and his wife Brenda of South Easton. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Andrea Connor of Cold Spring, New York, Anthony Connor of Cape Town, South Africa, Megan McKenna of Arlington, and Alfred Gillis of South Easton; as well as two great grandchildren, Eli and Isla Hudson of Cold Spring, New York. Mary also had a son, the late James Frederick, with whom she is now reunited.

She will be forever remembered and greatly missed.

Funeral Information

Calling hours are omitted. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend funeral services on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 beginning at the Roberts and Sons Funeral Home at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 58 Carpenter St., Foxborough. Interment to follow at Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton. To light a candle in Mary’s memory please visit the funeral home web site at www.robertsandsonsfuneralhome.com. For additional information please call 508-543-5471.

Donations Information

Flowers will be gratefully accepted or if you wish donations in Mary’s memory may be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, 208 South Great Road Lincoln, MA 01773.