WEST GARDINER – Barbara Grace Burke, 88, of West Gardiner passed away on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021 at her home where she lived for over 73 years with her family by her side. She was born on Jan. 14, 1933 in Calais, the daughter of Henry and Charlotte Lawrence of West Gardiner.

Barbara lost her mother when she was young, at the age of 6 years old. She was raised by her father and helped care for her younger sister, Beverly. They always remained close and watched out for each other. Barbara always said she hoped to see her mother again one day.

She meets the love of her life while working at the Gardiner Shoe Shop by catching his attention dropping a shoe tassel out the upper window as he walked by on the street. She married Lawrence Burke on Jan. 30, 1952 at St. Joseph’s Church in Gardiner and together they raised six children. She was a homemaker and dedicated her life to raising her family. She was known as “Ma” by her children and the neighborhood kids. Barbara and Lawrence built a camp on the East Shore of Embden Pond back in 1959, and made many fun memories on the lake, which continues to this day, as the camp remains in the family.

Barbara enjoyed day trips with her husband and sister, Beverly, going to the coast for lobster, eating a good breakfast out. She loved her gardens, growing the first vegetables of the season and the biggest and most colorful pink flowers. She sought to have something in bloom throughout the summer. She spent many hours canning vegetables, making relish, pickles, applesauce, and jams. She loved fresh tomatoes and ate them like an apple. She was an animal lover and they raised heifers, which she named them all, starting with Sarah. She loved beagle dogs and they had several through the years but her very favorite was Daisy. You may have seen her in the pasture talking with her cows or the geese. Sarah, the cow, would come running to the fence when she pulled into the yard and she always spoke to her. She loved to cook big Sunday dinners for the family, right up until the day she passed. She and Lawrence enjoyed square dancing in their younger days. She always had a puzzle going and loved when family visited and worked on the puzzle with her. Barbara was always cooking and did not know how to cook in small portions. She had made a blueberry pie and chicken soup the day before her passing, which the family enjoyed that Sunday, having her last homemade meal. She looked forward to her children and grandchildren’s visits and there was always someone visiting. She and Lawrence enjoyed sitting on their front porch, watching, and feeding the birds and taking care of her beautiful pink flowers.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents and her older sister, Dorothy Lawrence Brown of England. Also, her beagle, Daisy.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Lawrence Burke of West Gardiner; her daughters, Cynthia Bonenfant and husband Arthur, Jr of Randolph; Cathey Leavitt and husband William of Farmingdale and sons, Michael and wife Belinda Burke of Readfield, Mark and wife Mary Ellen Burke of West Gardiner, Frank and wife Kimberly Burke of Freeport and Alan and wife Cathi Burke of Farmington. Also, 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; her sister, Beverly Whitmore Carleton and her family.

At her request there will be no services. Burial will be later in the spring.

In her memory, go for a day trip, enjoy a good breakfast, eat a tomato, feed the birds, or plant some pink flowers.

Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home and Oak Grove Crematory, Gardiner.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com