Obituary of Victoria Burke

Victoria “Vicky” Burke, age 101, daughter of Felix and Valerie Cwierko of Poland, peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones at home in Howell, NJ on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

She was born on August 31, 1920, in Jersey City, NJ. Growing up Victoria attended Our Lady of Czestochowa grammar school, and James J. Ferris High School both in Jersey City. She was married to Edward James Burke, Sr. and later moved to Howell in 1962. While her husband was serving in World War II, Victoria began working as a seamstress and continued her career for 34 years.

She was a faithful parishioner of St. Veronica’s Roman Catholic Church where she was involved in service activities and prayer groups. Victoria was very dedicated to The Legion of Mary and played a significant role in providing opportunities for individual devotion to Mary through her image.

On any given Tuesday, you could find Victoria at Rova Farms participating in their flea market. She took pride in hosting family celebrations, especially Thanksgiving where the entire family watched her favorite movie, Babes in Toyland. Victoria always welcomed friends and family into her home to enjoy one of her favorite sweets and a nice cup of hot coffee.  She was a good woman, and the world was a better place because of her.

Victoria is predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Edward J. Burke Sr., daughter, Ellen Burke, and siblings; Stella Nevins, Charles Cwierko, and Adele White. She is survived by three children; Edward James Burke Jr. and his wife, Phyllis, Ronald J. Burke, and Valerie Piscitelli and her husband, Tom; five grandchildren, James Burke and his wife, Martha, Corrine Rickerd and her husband, Peter, Anthony Massaro, III and his wife, Malisa, and Teresa Castellan and her husband, Michael; seven great grandchildren, Peter Rickerd, Anna Rickerd, Gianna Massaro, Ryan Castellan, Logan Castellan, Anthony Massaro IV, and Mia Castellan.

The Burke family is adhering to guidelines recommended by the CDC and requesting that people wear masks while attending. Those that are at risk or not feeling well, please stay home and reach out to the family through other means.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home at 8:30 AM for Victoria’s procession to her 9:30 AM funeral mass on Friday, September 24, 2021 at St. Veronica’s Church, 4215 Route 9 North, Howell, NJ 07731. Interment will follow in Princeton Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 403 Gordon Road, Robbinsville Township, NJ 08691.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cancer Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104 or St. Jude Children’ Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN  38105. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.