Mildred Catherine (Surette) Burke, 100, of White Lake, formerly of Farmington Hills, MI, passed away on June 24, 2025.

Mildred was born May 13, 1925 in Boston, MA, the daughter of Raymond and Mary Elizabeth (Hurlburt) Surette. Mildred lived in Boston and enjoyed a childhood of swimming in the Neponset River with her family. Mildred was quite an artist and could often be found with a pencil in her hand sketching notable people and comic strips. As a young woman, Mildred worked in Boston at the Massachusetts Bonding Company.

Mildred married William Burke, the love of her life, on October 16, 1954 at St. Ambrose Church in Dorchester, MA. Mildred often mentioned how she paid for their honeymoon to Bermuda. The couple lived in Dorchester and Weymouth, MA before moving to Arlington Heights, IL and Farmington Hills, MI, where they spent their years raising their family.

Bill and Mildred were avid travelers, and Mildred enjoyed sharing stories of their many travels, including to Ireland, Germany, Hawaii, Italy, and Switzerland. Mildred especially loved shopping at all of these destinations and bringing home souvenirs for her family.

Mildred was a parishioner of St. Fabian’s Church in Farmington Hills for many years.

Remaining to cherish Mildred’s memory are her children: Brian and wife Carolyn of Belchertown, MA, Janice and husband Charles Kirschke of Columbia, SC, Karen Brewer of Waterford, MI and Gail Burke of Chelsea, MI: grandchildren Michael (Rachael) Kirschke, Ryan Kirschke, Carolyn (Joseph) Narvaez, Kevin (Sarahi) Kirschke, William (Erika) Brewer, Rosemary Brewer, Stephen Brewer, Kelley Burke, James Burke, Brendan Burke, Kathryn Burke, Mare (Tyler) Miller, Samir (Taylor) Almhiemid, Hannah Almhiemid, and Melina Almhiemid. She leaves eleven great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Mildred in death was her husband William, her parents Raymond and Mary Elizabeth, her brothers Raymond, Bernard, and James Surette, her sisters Pauline Olson and Jeanne Sass, and grandson Joseph Brewer.

Mrs. Burke will lie in state Monday, June 30th, at 10:00 a.m. until the time of her Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills. She will be laid to rest in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mrs. Burke's name may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.