Kris Burke Has Lost Her Battle With Breast Cancer

Framingham resident Kris Burke has lost her battle with breast cancer.

Burke died this morning, June 18. Her death was posted on the Keeping Kris Strong Facebook page by her cousin Julie Defina.

"My cousin Kristine was diagnosed with her second round of breast cancer just weeks after giving birth to her adorable daughter Skyler. Because the cancer was so advanced, she was given 2-4 years to live. That was 6 and a half years ago! During that time she has been the most attentive and energetic mom, building countless precious memories with her daughter. She also continued her elementary school teaching career and showered all of her students with her creative energy and love of learning. She worked all of this (and more) around her trips to Dana Farber for chemo treatments. No matter how sick or weak she felt, she carried out with more fire and zest than the healthiest of people. For these reasons, I refuse to say she "lost" her battle with cancer. She fought so hard, but cancer took her because it's mean and ugly like that," wrote Defina.

"All those who knew her will definitely miss her so much!! To Lori Greene and the AMAZING community of Framingham - you guys are just the best! All of Kris' family near and far have been astonished and so appreciative of all the kindnesses, compassion, and assistance you guys have willingly delivered. All other cities and towns in this country could learn so much from you guys!," wrote Defina.

"We're sad Kris is no longer with us, but so relieved she's no longer in pain either. I'm hoping everyone can continue to send prayers and uplifting energy to Kris' husband Ben, her siblings Janelle, Joe, and Dylan and to her super-cute and awesome 6-year old daughter Skyler," concluded Defina.

Framingham Patch blogger Lori Greene first wrote aboute Burke's battle with cancer in September. Greene wrote:

Last night I went to our elementary school PTO meeting, and I saw the parents of a new kindergartener, who was in my daughter’s preschool class the year before last.  I didn’t know them well, but I knew back then that the mom, Kris Burke, was fighting breast cancer.  She seemed to be doing well and I didn’t know enough of her story for my “helper radar” to kick in and identify an opportunity to get involved.

But at last night’s PTO meeting, my friend mentioned that there was a recent news article about this new kindergarten family, and that they were in fear of imminent foreclosure on their home.  Kris had lost her job as a teacher at Brophy Elementary, and with it – her health insurance.  Beep-beep-beep.  My radar was on high-alert.

Greene set out to rally the community to help Burke. Her efforts encouraged the Barbieri Elementary, Brophy Elementary and many in Framingham to help the Burke family.

Since her first blog post, thousands of dollars was raised to help the Burke family. Neighbors, friends and even those who did know the family made meals, offered rides, helped out at the Burke home, fixed the family's roof, and so many other tasks.

Last month, Framingham Patch blogger Brenda Crawshaw wrote about how Burke's battle could be our battle. She wrote:

She's a mom.  She's a teacher.  She's a wife.  She loves her family.  She wants her home to be a place of comfort and refuge for her family.  She tries to follow an eating plan for optimal health benefits.  She has a great smile that comes through in every photo.  She often wears stylish scarves on her head.  She cares about Framingham.  She adores her daughter and wants to spend every moment soaking up her sweetness.  She wants to make improvements to her home.  She has a devoted husband who, like many, works for a company with a shockingly high deductible.  She was laid off from her job last year and the family had to tighten their belts.  She has cancer.  She has had cancer for 12 years.  She fights every day for her family in ways that most of us never had to fight.  Her name is Kris Burke and any one of us could be her.

Fortunately, the Burkes live in Framingham which I personally believe to be one of the most generous, familial, caring communities I have witnessed.  When I put out the call for donations for Hurricane Sandy victims my front year ended up looking like a transfer station.  Donations POURED in faster than we could keep track of them.  When the truck showed up to cart away the gifts, he struggled to figure out how to pack everything - Tetris style - into the back of the truck and had to send another vehicle to the next place because Framingham had come through to such a degree that there was no room for anything else.

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Framingham Patch will post funeral arrangements when available.

Feel free to post memories of Kris in the comments below or visit the Facebook Page Keeping Kris Strong and read what others have posted.