Ellen L. "Ellie" Burke

Ellen L. (Dray) "Ellie" Burke, age 91, passed away peacefully in her East Walpole, Massachusetts home on Monday, September 5, 2016. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 25, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Leo F. and Gladys (Merrill) Dray. As a lifelong resident of East Walpole, she graduated from Walpole High School with the Class of 1943.

She married her husband, Francis T. Burke and as their family grew, Ellie took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her five children. She also took a part time position with Hollingsworth and Vose and later with the Knox Norton Company.

Ellie was deeply devoted to Saint Mary's Church, where she, alongside her husband ran various social gatherings and in her later years, attended Mass daily. As a dedicated humanitarian, she regularly volunteered her time making sandwiches for the Pine Street Inn.

She loved spending her summers at the Bourne Scenic Park, camping for over 40 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed working with ceramics.

Beloved wife of the late Francis T. Burke.
Loving mother of William Burke and his wife Leesa of Wrentham, Joseph Burke and his wife Brenda of Attleboro, Diane E. Burke - White of Walpole, the late Mary F. Keefe and her surviving husband Daniel of Walpole and the late Thomas E. Burke.
Cherished grandmother of Brittany Burke of Jamaica Plain, Cameron Burke of Wrentham, Kayla Burke of Attleboro, Zachary White of Chicago, Hadara White of VT, and Alyssa Burke of Foxboro.
Sister of the late Shirley Gillis and William Dray.
Also survived by her beloved dog, Cash.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ellie's Life Celebration on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 4-8 PM and Thursday, September 8, 2016 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.