Obituary: Lorraine C. (Pinky) Burke, 92, of Branford

Obituary courtesy of Keenan Funeral Home:

Lorraine C. (Pinky) Burke age 92 of Branford passed away December 27, 2022 surrounded by her family at her home. She is survived by her husband Harry A. Burke. She was born August 8, 1930 to the late Clara Mae Roberts. She was raised in New Haven (City Point) by her Maternal Aunt and Uncle, Margaret and Robert Booth.

Pinky retired from the University of New Haven in 1995 after 23 years of employment. She initially worked as a Library Assistant, and later transferred to the Evening Division, assisting both faculty and graduate students. She was an active member of the Branford Senior Center. She loved to bowl, play bocce and most of all loved Friday night poker. Her biggest joy were her children and grandchildren.

Besides her husband of 63 years, she is survived by her three children; Paul (Theresa) Burke of Murrells Inlet South Carolina, Dorian (Robert) Santoemma of Branford and Harry S. Burke of North Haven. She is also survived by her brother, John Roberts of Hyde Park NY and her sister Edith Perusse of Clearwater FL. She enjoyed spending time with her seven grandchildren: Zack and Luke Massella; Kate, Lauren and Samantha Burke; and Zakery and Sofia Santoemma. She will be greatly missed by her lifelong friend Dorothy Barbarito. She is predeceased by her brother Carl (Bucky) Waterbury, and her daughter-in-law Sharon Burke. The family would also like to give special thanks to her Nurses; Lynn and Mike and her Health Aide Claire, who all treated her with compassion and dignity.

Family and friends may visit the Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Rd., North Branford, Saturday, December 31, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a service in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home Care Plus Community Healthcare Hospice.