Grace (Wood) Burke

Waltham – Mrs. Grace (Wood) Burke, of Waltham, died on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 in her home. She was 100 years old.

Grace was born in Melrose on March 3, 1921 to the late Harold H. and Louise E. (Cauger) Wood. Raised in Cambridge, she was a graduate of Cambridge Latin High School with the Class of 1939 and went on to continue her studies at the Katherine Dell Secretarial School in Boston.

When her children were grown she went to work as a buyer for the children's department at Grover Cronin's department store on Moody Street. After that Grace began working at Waltham Hospital in the billing department, a position she held for many years before retiring in 1993. After her retirement she worked part-time in the scheduling office at Hospice West in Waltham.

Grace and her husband, Christopher, were longtime parishioners of Saint Mary's Church on School Street where she was an active member of the Mother's Club for many years. Grace always kept busy and loved music, theatre, and never shied away from singing along to her favorite tunes! She took pleasure in completing puzzles, and winning her hand at solitaire and other card games played among good company. In addition, she was active on Waltham Hospital's bowling league.

She also traveled the country and the world and was happy and proud to be able to say that she touched all seven continents . . . one of many accomplishments in her inspiring hundred years.

In addition to her husband, Christopher, she was predeceased by her grandson, Stephen C. Burke, and her sister, Alice Platt.

She leaves her children, Christopher J. Burke, Jr. (Patricia) of Guilford, New Hampshire, David L. Burke (Sally) of Center Barnstead, New Hampshire, Kathleen M. Bergeron (Arthur "Buddy") of Waltham, and Kelly S. Burke (Beth) of Framingham; eleven grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews including Susan Edry (Richard) of Cohasset.

Family and friends will honor and remember Grace's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, April 9th from 4 to 7 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

To view Grace's Funeral Mass please visit https://my.gather.app/remember/grace-w-burke at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, April 10th.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923.

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A note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love and support, give them a virtual hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance.

Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.