Kristen Carol Burke

Kristen C. Burke, 24, received her ultimate healing in the arms of Jesus Christ her Savior Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 at Wesley Long Hospital after enduring a courageous 5 ½ year battle with Medullo Blastoma. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, 4:00 pm at Gate City Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Pressley officiating. Entombment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, feel free to wear Carolina Blue.

Kristen was born July 7, 1986 in Greensboro, the daughter of Jonathan H. “Hal” and Cindy Whicker Burke. She graduated from Southwest Guilford High School and UNC-Chapel Hill were she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. She was a third year pharmacy student at UNC Chapel Hill and enjoyed cheering for her beloved Tar Heels.

Her infectious smile, unwavering courage, and determination has been an inspiration to us all. She will always be remembered for her wit, humor and positive attitude.

Kristen was preceded in death by her grandfathers, R. Harold Burke and Aaron E. Whicker. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving parents, Hal and Cindy Burke; sister, Meredith Burke of Chapel Hill; paternal grandmother, Pauline Burke of Kernersville, and maternal grandmother, Carolyn Whicker of Greensboro; aunts Sandra, LuAnn, Janice and Paula; cousins Jessica, Austin and numerous other family members and friends that she cherished deeply.

The family wants to express their gratitude to the Doctors and Nurses at WFBMC, Duke, and ICU / Palliative Care units at Wesley Long for their wonderful care during her illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, DUMC, Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710 and The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, 302 Ridgefield Ct, Asheville, NC 28806