Betty Burke

Betty Glover Burke (Hunt) died on July 21, 2018.

Betty was born on April 2, 1923 in Winnipeg. Manitoba. She was the eldest child of Frank and Beatrice (Graham) Hunt. Betty married George Henry Burke Jr. on February 14th, 1947 and moved briefly to Kapuskasing, Ontario. 

George and she returned to Port Arthur and George joined his father’s business. They had three daughters, Margaret Joan (Peggy), Katherine Frances and Charlotte Clare.

Educated in Winnipeg, Betty’s first job was with Canada Packers, followed by six years in the Accounting Department of the Ford Motor Company in Windsor. After her children were old enough, she helped out at George Burke Jewelers with the bookkeeping. She completed the Graduate Jewelers Course in 1966 and was a member of the Canadian Jewelers Association, becoming a certified Gemologist in 1969. After the business was sold in 1973, Betty went to work for Stille and Sutton C.A. and she earned her CGA designation in 1981.

A lifelong learner, Betty took advantage of the Lakehead University Senior Program and completed a B.A. with a major in Sociology.

Betty was active as a volunteer throughout her life beginning as a Girl Guide Leader during the war. She was director of the Sunday School at St Michaels Anglican Church for many years. After retirement, she sat on several boards including the Red Cross, Via Vitae Palliative Care, Thunder Bay Field Naturalists and she donated many hours to the Volunteer Income Tax Program. She also was a member of the Greenmantle Toastmistress Club. 

Betty enjoyed her walks and hikes with the Thunder Bay Hiking Club and The Speed Limits. She took several walking tours in England and saw a bit of Europe and Canada on Elder Hostel tours. She put miles on the walker that she was required to use in later life. She loved line dancing and Tai Chi. Betty is survived by her daughters Peggy Adams, Katherine Smith (Jim), and Charlotte Burke (Walter Ockley), her grandchildren Richard and Keith Adams, James and Jocelyn Smith and Graham Ockley. She had eight great grandchildren: Brandon, Amy and Ethan Adams, Alyssa Adams, Shamus and Kelsie Hicks, and Nathaniel and Gabriella Smith. Betty is also survived by her sister, Frances Linton and brother, Roderick Hunt. She was predeceased by her husband, George in 1986. 

A service will be held at Sargent and Son Funeral Home on Thursday July 26th at 11 a.m. with reception to follow. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. There will be a private interment at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Northwest would be greatly appreciated. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.