Mary L. Burke 84, of Jupiter FL and formerly of Tucson, AZ, Pawtucket, RI and Smithfield, RI, passed away on August 11, 2025.  Mary was born and raised in Sandusky, OH.

Mary spent her nearly 40-year nursing career in multiple fields in Rhode Island with a focus on pediatric nursing and the discipline of chronic sorrow in families and children. This passion to help others manifested itself through multiple publications and dissertation presentations around the world.

She was awarded her initial nursing diploma from Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati in 1962, followed later that year by a postgraduate certification, from Children's Medical Center in District of Columbia. Mary spent the first portion of her nursing vocation practicing pediatric nursing in both acute and primary settings after having graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rhode Island College, Providence, with a bachelor's degree in nursing. In 1982, she received her master's degree in parent-child nursing from Boston University and her doctorate of nursing science in the Family Studies Cognate from Boston University in 1989. She ascended to associate professor at Rhode Island College in 1991 and was promoted to full professor in 1996.

Following her successful academic, teaching and practicing careers in Rhode Island, Mary retired from the Rhode Island College faculty in 2002 and divided her time between Rhode Island and Tucson, AZ maintaining her passion for service through volunteerism with the Saddlebrooke Community Outreach whose mission is "providing opportunities for kids to succeed" (Kids' Closet) and the Golden Goose Thrift Shop. These were augmented by countless trips with family and grandchildren to the Arizona Desert Museum and travel with her husband, William.  Mary never stopped learning and discovering as the globe quickly became her second classroom.

Mary was a devoted, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was predeceased by her husband, William J. Burke.  She is survived by her son Patrick and wife Katie, of Wellesley, MA; her daughter, Maureen, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; her son Michael and wife Maureen, of Mansfield, MA. She also leaves four grandchildren: Nolan Burke, Lauren Burke, Grace Burke and Maddie Burke, as well as her sisters-in-law, Kathleen Burke of Amherst, MA, Patricia Dorfield of Renfrew, PA and her husband, Scott.  She was predeceased by her sister, Helen Lermann of Salem, OR.

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend visiting hours for Mary, at Manning-Heffern-O'Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage St., Pawtucket, RI on Thursday, September 18th from 4:00 - 6:00 PM with her memorial service to begin at 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary's memory to the Alzheimer's Association or the Saddlebrooke Community Outreach . A special thank you on behalf of the Burke Family to Vitas Hospice of Boynton Beach, FL and Amazing Grace of Palm Beach Gardens, FL.