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Mrs. Sylvia June Burke, 81, passed away peacefully in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. <br />
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Sylvia was born in South Wales on May 22, 1930 to James and Ada Howells. Sylvia came to Canada in the early 1950s with the intention of staying for just a year. However, love intervened when she met Casey Burke and the two were married on Oct. 17, 1953. <br />
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Sylvia, Casey and their three children moved from southern Ontario to Kakabeka Falls in 1966 where they started the Burke Dairy Farm on Mokomon Road. A hard working woman, she was not only an equal partner in the farm but an equal in the work that she did. <br />
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Sylvia enjoyed gardening, water colour painting and being involved with local politics where she served on various municipal boards over the years. <br />
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She was a member of St. Theresa R.C. Church where she attended Mass regularly until failing health would not longer allow her to. A strong minded woman, she loved hosting family dinners and Sunday lunches after church. <br />
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Her greatest joy came from her grandchildren and new great grandson whom she loved dearly. <br />
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Sylvia will be lovingly remembered by her husband Casey, children Jim (Brenda) Burke, Shirley (Larry) Niemi and John Burke, grandchildren: Erin, Jeff (Andrea), Scott and Neil Burke, Lia (Damien) Julier, and Casey and Craig Niemi; great grandson Hudson Julier, sisters Gwyneth Moffat and Valerie Francis as well as by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. <br />
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She was predeceased by her parents, one sister and one brother in South Wales. <br />
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Funeral services will be held on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 when family and friends will gather in St. Theresa R.C. Church for the Funeral Mass beginning at 1 p.m. celebrated by Rev. Henryk Augustynowicz. <br />
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Following the Mass, cremation will take place and the inurnment will be held at a later date in Stanley Hill Cemetery. Visitation for friends will be held on Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in St. Theresa R.C. Church where the Vigil Service will begin at 4:00 p.m. Arrangements are in care of the Sargent & Son Funeral Directors, 21 N. Court Street. <br />
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Online condolences may be made at <a href="http://www.sargentandson.com">www.sargentandson.com</a><a href="http://www.sargentandson.com." target="_blank">.</a></p>