Kathleen "Kathy" Marie Burke

On September 26, 1960, Kathleen and her identical mirror twin Barbara were born to Terence and Charlotte Burke in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Kathy was always proud that she was the oldest twin. She went to school at Gorman Elementary, Como Junior High, and Washington Senior High, where she graduated in 1978.

Kathy was always a hard worker and loved work, whatever it was. She worked in nursing homes and restaurants most of her life. Her last workplace was Merrick, Inc.

In 1986 she followed adventure and love to a large ranch in Montana. As the story goes, after four years there, she jumped on her horse and rode seven miles to the nearest neighbors and asked them to get her to the Empire Builder so she could go home to her mom’s.

Shortly after coming home in August 1990, Kathy decided that she did not want to live alone anymore and joined the ON OUR OWN friendship group, where Barbara was already a member. She lived almost thirty years at 223 N. Grotto Street with a group of friends.

After her health took a turn, she moved and received kindly services from Angie and her staff at the Weaver Lake Home owned by Genesis. After that, she moved to Janet Court owned by Phoenix Residence and lived there under the tender care of Edwin and his staff. Because Kathy loved and missed her ON OUR OWN friends so much, Edwin arranged for her to come to their Rec Program every Thursday afternoon and evening. It was the highlight of her week doing things and being with her friends.

Kathy had a large, colorful and exuberant personality. She made friends easily. You could hear her laughter and see her full-face smile. She was a hugger and was eager to say "I love you” to her family and friends.

Kathy had a wide variety of interests, but above all she loved to travel. She was a good cook and took delight in making meals for others to enjoy. All her life she drew and colored, but as an adult she became an excellent and creative painter. She never wanted to miss Art Class at White Bear Center for the Arts.

This is her favorite story of herself:

“One day when I woke up, I thought I’d gone blind. Then Rosita washed my glasses, and I could see.”

On January 2, Kathy’s plans were to be with her ON OUR OWN friends for the afternoon, but circumstances caused her to reschedule for another day. After breakfast, she said she felt tired and decided to take a nap. She went to sleep and woke up with her parents, her brother David and her other friends in Heaven.