Mary Frances Burke OBITUARY

Mary Frances Burke OBITUARY

MaryFran Burke died peacefully on March 11, 2026, at The Clare in Chicago, two months shy of her 99th birthday.

Born in Chicago, she was the eldest of three children. She spent some of her most cherished childhood years in St. Louis before returning to Chicago just before beginning high school at St. Scholastica Academy.

MaryFran graduated from Mundelein College, now part of Loyola University Chicago, where she majored in English. While attending college, she met her future husband, attorney and Chicago trial lawyer John T. Burke, who was also a student at Loyola. They met at Lee’s Drugstore, spending time at the soda fountain on Sheridan Road near Loyola’s campus, and became friends before falling in love. After graduating and beginning her career as a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, she and John were married.

MaryFran was the devoted mother of six children over a span of 20 years, with the oldest child twenty years senior to the youngest. She was an active and dedicated member of St. Faith, Hope & Charity Parish in Winnetka, where she served as President and Vice President of the Women’s Guild. She also led the Wedding Committee, helping prepare brides and bridesmaids before ceremonies, and served as a Eucharistic Minister, regularly distributing Communion.

In addition, MaryFran was a real estate broker with Jean Wright Realty and Coldwell Banker in Winnetka, continuing to work until the age of 80. Following the passing of her husband and her retirement from real estate, she returned to her Chicago roots and moved to The Clare, where she rekindled friendships from her Mundelein and Loyola days. She remained active in resident committees and again served as a Eucharistic Minister for Catholic Mass services at The Clare. MaryFran shared many wonderful laughs with her neighbors at The Clare, including the late Sister Jean Schmidt.

MaryFran is survived by her six children: Judith Anne Burke of Chicago; John T. Burke Jr. of Tucson, Arizona; Kevin Joseph Burke (Marie Kirk) of Lake Bluff, Illinois; Mary Burke Ashenden (Dan) of North Carolina, formerly of Wilmette; Kathleen (Kathy) Burke Lomasney (Jon) of Chicago; and Michael Burke (Donald Scotton) of Los Angeles, California.

She is also survived by five grandchildren: Marron Burke Brookes (Zach), Burke Ashenden (Ryka Sehgal), Emily Ashenden, Brian Lomasney, and Maggie Lomasney; and two great-grandchildren, Clare Brookes and Holly Brookes.

A Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life on May 12, 2026, at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity in Winnetka, Illinois. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 700 North River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of MaryFran Burke may be made to: The Clare Charitable Foundation (Supporting employee families and education), The Clare, 55 East Pearson Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847)675-1990.