Bernadette L. Burke (Barney), Age 90

Homemaker; retired telecommunications operator

 

Bernadette L. Burke, Age 90, of Lincoln University, Chester County, passed away peacefully at home on July 22, 2026 surrounded by her loving and devoted family.

Born and raised in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, she was a graduate of Uniontown Senior High School, class of 1954.

Mrs. Burke resided in Lansdowne, Upper Darby, and Havertown before moving to Lincoln University in 1999.

In the mid-1950s, Mrs. Burke worked for Bell Telephone during a historic era of telecommunications expansion throughout the Philadelphia suburban area. She later worked for many years at Delaware County Memorial Hospital, serving as a telephone operator before retiring as a radiology and x-ray clerk.

A devout Catholic, she was proudly named after Saint Bernadette and fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2013 by journeying to her namesake's holy shrine in Lourdes, France. She also found great comfort in her patron saint, Saint Rita of Cascia, and was profoundly proud to have recently completed a holy pilgrimage through the designated Catholic Jubilee Holy Doors alongside her son, John, and daughter-in-law, Rosita.

She was the daughter of the late Thomas M. Lally and Margaret Connell Lally of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and was the last surviving of their 12 children. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 53 years, Michael J. Burke Sr., her cherished grandson, John Burke Jr., and most recently, her beloved sister, Regina Lally.

Survivors: Daughter, Denise McDermott (Brian) of Kennett Square. Sons, Michael J. Burke Jr. (Terry) of Oxford, John F. Burke (Rosita) of West Grove, and Thomas Burke (Rick Fountas) of Lincoln University.

She is also survived by an extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren

A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:30AM on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at ASSUMPTION BVM CATHOLIC CHURCH, 300 State Road, West Grove, Pennsylvania.  Interment will follow in STS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, Delaware County.