Elizabeth Frances Burke

Elizabeth Frances Kerrigan Burke, 89, a deeply cherished and much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died peacefully at home in Emerson, NJ on February 1, 2024. She was surrounded and comforted by her devoted family at her passing.

Born in 1934 in Derry, Northern Ireland, Frances was one of six Kerrigan siblings born to James and Ellen Kerrigan. Raised in a family of limited means and the youngest of five sisters, Frances was forced to leave school at the age of fourteen to support her family. Following her adored older sister, Margaret, across the “pond”, Frances emigrated to Belleville, NJ in 1957. There, she met her husband the late John Burke. They soon started their family with the arrival of Jerry Burke, Helen Belits (husband, Rob), John Burke (wife, Mary Ellen) and Anne Lowry (husband, Jack). In 1975, they moved to Hillsdale, NJ. Shortly thereafter, her husband John died suddenly, leaving Frances a young widow to raise the children and support the family. Her primary focus was the higher education of her children. Knowing it was a key to success and something she was denied, she instilled the importance of education in each of her children. Working multiple jobs, she was able to have all of her children graduate college, some with advanced degrees. She herself even attended classes at Saint Thomas Aquinas College, fulfilling a life-long dream. Despite the loss of her husband, she embraced her life as a widow. She joined a “Widows Group” through the local church. That gave her new-found and life-long friends. They were inseparable and travelled the world together as a group, taking cruises to Aruba and the Bahamas, and exploring Europe. Some of her fondest memories were the times spent with her friends.

Over the years, Frances’ home in Hillsdale was more than a just a homebase, it was where one could always count on Frances to be at the kitchen table with an eager and empathic listening ear, a plate of her famous chocolate chip cookies or a slice of Entenmann’s cake, and a wee cup of tea. Quite literally, she was magic. Once she got you talking, any worries would melt away. Frances was a diplomatic, bright, and thoughtful woman with a quick-witted sense of humor. Her gentle strength and keen insights always provided comfort and support. Notwithstanding her Irish origins, Frances’ lasagna, tacos, and blueberry cake were legendary amongst her children and grandchildren. Perhaps Frances’ greatest success was her role as “Granny”, she unequivocally relished it. Her thirteen grandchildren - Tabitha, Megan, Brittany, Tara, Jack, Jenna, Claire, Maeve, Michael, J., Brenna, Riley, and Jude - are forever grateful to her for teaching them the joys of gambling (twenty-one was a favorite) and celebrity gossip (any kind of gossip really). She was wholly dedicated to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (Tommy, Eloise, Connor, Nolan, and Parker). There was never anything she loved more than spending time with them. A woman of deep faith, her commitment to a simple, honest life inspired all who knew her. Frances’ ability to always love unconditionally was contagious and expanded the heart of anyone who met her. There will be a large void in her family with her passing. But there is solace in knowing she is up in heaven, watching over all of us, while sipping a wee cup of tea.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy in Park Ridge, NJ on February 10, 2024 at 10am, followed by a private burial at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont, NY.

Flowers can be sent to Becker Funeral Home, Westwood, NJ or in lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.