Janet Burke

Janet Cottrell Burke died peacefully on April 29, 2013 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Janet was born on November 2, 1932 in Royal Oak, Michigan to Gilbert H. and Madeline A. Davis. In her formative years, she was a lover of music and mischief with her older sister Gretchen, her younger brother Geoff and many friends. After graduating from Royal Oak High School foregoing an opportunity to enroll at the Detroit Conservatory of Music, she matriculated at Central Michigan University where she majored in education. Shortly after graduating from Central, she married Donald Joseph Burke, also a native of Royal Oak and embarked on her teaching career. Her career was soon interrupted by the arrival of children and the demands of Don's career. Jan accumulated many friends as she and Don moved from Detroit to Stevensville, Michigan to Barrington, Illinois to Grand Rapids, Michigan to Okemos, Michigan. In Lansing, she had an integral role in building the business she and Don acquired there. After Don's passing, Janet moved to both St. Paul, Minnesota and St. Charles, Illinois to be close to her grandchildren while spending winters in Bonita Springs, Florida. Jan was active in church and related music activities choir and bell choir her entire life with prominent roles at Lakeshore MI Presbyterian where she and Don were two of the founding members, Wauconda IL Presbyterian, Cascade Christian MI, First Presbyterian MI and St. Paul's United Methodist MN. She shared her musical and entertainment skills often with her friend Dot Robinson with many in need. Her ragtime piano skills were in particular demand. She was involved in many charitable endeavors ranging from the Infant Welfare Society to Sparrow Hospital Auxiliary. She loved, and was loved by, her cats and dogs and people from all walks of life. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her sons Paul Shannon and Matthew Gerianne and her daughters Gretchen and Catherine Fitch Jack, as well as her grandchildren Kelly McBeain, Clayton Burke, Cassie Burke, John Fitch, William Fitch, Avery Burke and Mia Burke. A memorial service will be held on June 7, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Oakview Cemetery, Royal Oak, Michigan. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association.