Eleanor G. Burke

Waltham - Mrs. Eleanor G. (McDonald) Burke, of Waltham, died Wednesday, April 19, 2006 in her home. She was 89. Mrs. Burke was born in Somerville and was raised and educated in Watertown where she was a graduate of Watertown High School. She had been a Waltham resident for over fifty years. Until her retirement, Mrs. Burke had worked as a telephone operator for the New England Telephone Company. She was a Past President of Saint Jude Church Ladies Sodality in Waltham. Mrs. Burke was the wife of the late James E. Burke, the mother of the late James E. Burke, Jr. and Claire Burke, the daughter of the late Michael A. and Lillian E. (McCusker) McDonald, and the sister of the late Doris E. Lawn and Gerard M., John J., and Anna C. McDonald. She is survived by her children, Sheila A. Pilek and John J. Burke both of Waltham; her granddaughers, Kerry Pilek and Kristen Murray; her great-grandchildren, Jack Michael DeSanti and Eleanor M. Murray; her brothers, Robert M. McDonald of Belmont and Dr. Francis X. McDonald of Weston and many nieces and nephews. The Funeral will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Visiting hours are Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Saint Jude School, 175 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02453.