Teresa C. Burke, 65

November 06, 2021

Teresa C. Burke, 65, of Manheim, PA, entered into Heaven on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Born in Hinsdale, IL, she was the daughter of the late Dorothy (Reside) and Thomas A. Cavanaugh, and the loving wife to John P. Burke for over 41 years.

Teresa graduated from Lock Haven University with a degree in education and taught third grade in Portsmouth, VA. She raised three children which she considered her most important work. Her later career included substitute teaching, an educator role at a science center, and working as an office manager until she retired.

Teresa was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church in Lancaster, PA. Her life was centered around her faith and her family. She enjoyed daily mass, studying scripture, and attending a weekly Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament with John. Teresa humbly provided companionship for elderly members of her community and often visited local prisons to spread Christ’s message of mercy, forgiveness, and hope. She was a fierce defender of life, from womb to natural death.

Teresa enjoyed cooking, gardening, swimming, long car trips with her family, time spent with loved ones, and watching classic movies with John. She loved children, dogs, and knitting. Her sincerity, humility, generous heart, and unique ability to listen will be missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her beloved children: Robert (Courtney) Burke of Cranberry Township, Patrick (Rebecca) Burke of Morgantown, WV, Elizabeth Burke-Lee (Chang-Woo) of Busan, South Korea; grandchildren Chase and Kelly; her loving siblings: Thomas (Carla) Cavanaugh of Leonardtown, MD, Marian (John) Kurnat or York, Ellen (Michael) Campbell of Burke, VA, Anne (Bart) Smith of York and Patrick Cavanaugh of Palmyra; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins; and a special friend Father Pat McGarrity of Ephrata.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2427 Marrietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601. Family and friends will be received from 10AM until the time of the Mass. Interment will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery, York, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Priests for Life, www.priestsforlife.org.