Mary Ellen Burke

Mary Ellen was born in Denver to Bernard and Lucille Foster. She married Joseph K. Burke in 1962 and began her teaching career in Lynnwood, WA while her husband was serving in the United States Air Force. The family returned to Denver in 1964, and then moved to Broomfield in 1972, where she began teaching at the Broomfield United Presbyterian Preschool. She taught for twenty-five years and eventually became the Director of the preschool.

Mary Ellen was a passionate traveler and took her family and friends to many places around the world, which included a two-year stay in Ireland. She was an avid year around swimmer for the greater part of her life and enjoyed the water with her grandchildren. In addition to her swimming, she loved the sport of white-water rafting, running the rapids of every major white-water river in Colorado. She enjoyed being in the mountains all of her life and cherished the time spent at her family cabin, Chateau des Quatre Vents, at the foot of Mount Evans.

She was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Broomfield until the family moved to Westminster, where she became a member of St Mark Parish. She enjoyed being a member of several clubs and organizations and was respected as an outstanding member of the community.

Mary Ellen is survived by her husband, Joseph K. Burke; daughter, Bridget (Patrick Whitten) Burke; sons, Brian (Rosalia) Burke and Sean (Theresa) Burke; grandchildren, Riley, John, Charles, Bronson, Ronin, Donovan, Broderick, MaryKate and Brian; she is also survived by brothers, Paul and Robert Foster; sister, Marti Foster; and special niece, Heather Wood.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 20, 6 pm, with a Rosary Service to follow, both at Olinger Highland Mortuary, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, CO. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 21, at 10:30 am at St. Mark Catholic Church, 3141 W. 96th Ave., Westminster.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Ellen's memory may be made to Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, 1835 Franklin Street, Denver, CO 80218.