Nancy Della Burke

Nancy Della Burke passed away on Monday, March 13th, after a sudden and devasting illness. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 22, 1947 to Charles and Della Smith. While Chicago was always her hometown, she lived in several states and in each one she found something that connected to her heart. This is especially true for Texas, which she proudly displayed a pink, lone star state, hitch cover regardless of where she was across the country. Always one for discovery, this reflected her love for geography, maps and exploration. Regardless of the geography, Nancy always carried her family in her heart and was the center of her world.

For those fortunate enough to know her, she had a gentle touch and a quick wit. She was kind to all and loved with her whole being. She was inspirational in many ways but most notably she lived her life with the value of treating all people with dignity and respect. While always reluctant to ask for assistance, Nancy was eager to help those in need. Never one to complain, but always at the ready to care for someone else. She was quick to fix problems and find solutions. Her family and friends awarded her the title of MacGyver of which she was quite proud.

Her ability to problem solve was also core to her professional career. She enjoyed the challenges of her work and over the years she held roles spanning several industries. Her talents and energy were infectious, and her optimism seemed nearly without limit. From customizing planes for royalty to designing big construction equipment, to improving processes in service delivery, she had a knack for building from her experiences and translating that to something new. Nancy’s career allowed her to travel the world and experience many fun and exotic places, such as England, Belgium and Austrailia.

Nancy is survived by her wife of 43 years, Debra Lawson, her daughters, Karen Burke, Kristen Phipps (Matthew), her grandchildren, Aislynn, Trudy, Burke and Maddie, her beloved cat, Rosie, and countless close friends and family.

A celebration of Nancy and her life will be held on May 20, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Nancy was not one for formality and wanted to see those she loved happily celebrating her life. A venue will be announced shortly.

If you would like to honor Nancy, please consider a donation in her name to the ASPCA at secure.ASPCA.org or the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanresthavenfuneralhome.com for the Burke family.