Veronica J. (Jackie) Burke, BVM (Timothena)
Veronica J. (Jackie) Burke, BVM (Timothena) died Wednesday, May 11,2016, at Caritas Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2016, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy will be at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery.
She was born in San Francisco, on May 6, 1921, to Martin and Mary Ann Kelly Burke. She entered the BVM congregation Sept. 8, 1939, from St. Paul Parish, San Francisco. She professed first vows on March 19, 1942, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1947.
Sister Veronica was an elementary school teacher and principal in Butte and Missoula, Mont.; San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif.; Chicago; and Des Moines, Iowa. She served as provincial for the BVM congregation. She ministered as counselor in San Francisco and was an education services officer in the Panama Canal Zone.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Timothy, and sister Eleanor Burke, BVM (Anna Martine). She is survived by Kathy, Jonathan and David Bebe and families, and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with whom she shared life for 76 years.
Sister Veronica J.(Jackie) Burke, BVM (Timothena)
Funeral Welcome
Marian Hall, May 20, 2016
Good afternoon and welcome to the celebration of life of our Sister Veronica J. (Jackie) Burke.
Julia Veronica Burke, Jackie to those who knew her, entered this world on May 6, 1921, joining brother Timothy and sister Eleanor as the youngest child born to Martin and Mary Ann (Kelly) Burke of San Francisco. Both of her parents emigrated from Ireland. Unfortunately, her father died before she entered the community. Jackie attended St. Paul School from primary grades through high school and worked briefly as a stenographer after graduation.
On her application for admission, Jackie wrote, “My love for Christ is such that I feel I must sacrifice something for Him. I feel a desire to bring other souls to know Him and love Him.” She entered the congregation on Sept. 8, 1939, and received the name Timothena upon her reception on March 19, 1940. She professed her first vows on March 19, 1942, and lived 76 years as a BVM.
Jackie’s sister, Sister Eleanor Burke, BVM (Anna Martine) entered in 1941. In a 1998 Salt article, the sisters commented, “Having a blood sister in the congregation has been one of the greatest joys of being a BVM. Home visits were a double joy—no need to find a companion, no need to be concerned about entertaining her. In times of sorrow, the grief we felt was alleviated by the sharing of it. And now, in old age, we continue to share our journey—we continue to be BEST FRIENDS.” Sister Eleanor died in 2008.
Jackie taught first and second grade for 18 years with missions at St. Ann in Butte and St. Anthony in Missoula, Mont.; St. Philip, St. Brigid and St. Paul in San Francisco and All Hallows in Sacramento, Calif.; and St. Gertrude in Chicago. She also served as principal at St. Ambrose in Des Moines, Iowa, for six years and as provincial for the St. Joseph Province from 1966 to 1969. Jackie related well with students, parents and faculty and had the ability to make a request seem more like an invitation to a wonderful opportunity. She was very open to the changes that occurred in the BVM community during her time as provincial and was one of the first BVMs to experiment with being out of the habit.
Jackie worked as an educational services officer at the Fort William Davis Education Center in the Panama Canal Zone and as a counselor at the Letterman General Hospital on the former Presidio Military Base in San Francisco. Her natural ability as an excellent listener made Jackie an outstanding counselor. Many young sisters and former BVMs sought out her wise counsel or simply an affirmation of their chosen path. One former member wrote, “As a Scholastic leaving Mount Carmel for Clarke, I was not feeling very good about myself. One counseling session with Jackie changed my life . . . I will always be indebted to her for helping me see the true me . . . She touched me deeply. I am eternally grateful to this wonderful woman.”
For many years Jackie lived in San Francisco and Daly City, Calif., with her sister Eleanor and former BVM and Associate Betty Carey. Jackie made the home a fun place to visit. Her sense of inclusion—acceptance of and comfort with everybody—was well ahead of the times and created a rather eclectic group of friends who celebrated major holidays at their home for many years. Jackie, Eleanor and Betty were known as “the godmothers” to the two sons of former BVM Kathy (Greaney) Bebe and were very involved in their growing up years. Jackie remained dedicated to Eleanor and Betty through all their life transitions right to their deaths. In these last years with no nieces or nephews, the Bebe family, who loved and cherished Jackie immensely, became her “immediate” family.
Jackie had a great sense of humor and enjoyed life and yet was very practical and down-to-earth. She was an avid reader who consumed books like breathing. She delighted in nature, exploring new trails, especially trails along the ocean, as a bicyclist and a dedicated walker. After moving to Mount Carmel in 2003, she remained active as a volunteer, even serving breakfast in the Special Care Unit to free up staff to complete other tasks.
Jackie was well-loved; her tender loving nature drew people to her. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” During her 20 years as a counselor and a lifetime of availing herself to others, she welcomed the burdened and eased their load. Finally, nine days ago, Jackie’s burden was lifted as Jesus called her home. Rest in peace, Jackie.
Sr Timothena taught me first grade at St Gertrude Parish in Chicago on the North side in 1957… she was a great teacher and I always remember having a lot of fun in her class we had 62 kids in our class and she handled it with ease… may she rest in peace
Sister Mary Timothena was my first-grade teacher at All Hallows School in Sacramento. I am now 74 years old. I will never forget her. She taught us phonics and the wonder of reading. Sincerely, Rosella Ann Lane
Sister Timothena was my first grade teacher at All Hallows in Sacramento, 1951-52. She helped to instill a love of reading, empowered by phonics, and was joyous in all she did. No one will say this, and it’s not the most important thing, but she also was so very pretty and energetic. What a grand way to start academic life! Thank you, Sister.