Karen M. Burke

WINTHROP – Karen M. Burke, a longtime resident of Winthrop, passed away July 17, 2023, weeks before her 80th birthday.

Karen was born in Johnstown, N.Y., daughter to John and Ethel Entelisano and was the eldest of 10 siblings. After graduating from Johnstown High School, Karen went on to study English literature at Russell Sage College.

Karen married William Burke and they had two beautiful children together, Michael Burke and Kimberly Burke Haley both of South Portland.

Bill and Karen owned and ran McNaughtons Bar and Grill in Norton Hill, N.Y. and many treasured long lasting friendships were formed here. Karen and Bills marriage dissolved and Karen ended up teaching English for several years in Vermont, working on her masters degree during the summers at Middlebury College.

Several years later, in her 40s, she decided to fulfill her dream to become a lawyer and obtained her law degree from Vermont law School. She ended up moving to Maine when she landed a job at the prestigious law firm Bernstein-Shur, Sawyer & Nelson P.A in Portland. She subsequently opened her own law practice and worked right up to the time of her passing.

Karen was an avid gardener and a gourmet cook, many of her dishes were inspired by ingredients from her garden, especially her homemade tomato sauce. She was an animal loving, music loving, New York Times crossword puzzle lover and each of these enriched her life and the people around her in some way or another.

Karen is survived by her two amazing children, Michael Burke and Kimberly Burke Haley (Chris Orestis); and three wonderful grandchildren, Mia Haley, Miles Burke and Lorraine Burke; her siblings Mary White, Kathi Renziehausen (Ron Renziehausen), Josephine Vaccaro (James Vaccaro), Nancy Loreto (Ricahrd Loreto), Joseph Entelisano (Michelle Entelisano), Bruce Entelisano (Lisa Entelisano), Barbara Davidson (Dwight Davidson), Michael Entelisano (Maureen Entelisano); and several nieces and nephews; and beloved cousins. Karen also left behind her very beloved pets, Rosie and Neko.

Her parents John and Ethel, and brother, John Entelisano predeceased her, as well as her brother-in-law, Robert White.

On behalf of her Quaker roots she would ask us all to, be the change, spread love and encourage peace.

Karen was an environmentalist and animal lover.. to honor her we ask that you plant a tree, adopt an animal or simply donate to a cause that supports these interests of hers.