Bertha M. Laprise Burke

Bertha M. Laprise Burke, 88 years old of Rochester, NH, and most recently of Sanford, ME died Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at the Newton Center in Sanford.Bertha was born in Alberta, New Brunswick, Canada on February 7, 1919. She was the daughter of the late Fred and Veronica Legere Doiron. At a very young age, Bertha, along with her family relocated to Maine.For many years Bertha worked in the local shoe shops and textile mills, and upon her retirement she would winter in Zephyrhills, FL for over 12 years.Bertha was an excellent cook, and was said to make one of the most delicious strawberry-rhubarb pies. She enjoyed crafting, especially knitting and crocheting. She was even known to get out and polka every now and then. Bertha also enjoyed her "sewing circle" weeks at Wells Beach with her friends, and watching the Miss America Pageant.Bertha was devout catholic, and communicant of Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, St. Therese of Lisieux Parish of Springvale. She enjoyed helping out at church fairs, and projects while she was able to do so. Bertha was a past president of the Ladies of St. Anne, and a fifty plus year member of the Daughter of Isabella. Her faith led her to a life of caring and compassion to everyone she met.Predeceasing Bertha was her first husband Henry A. Laprise, a grandson Michael Denton, and several brothers and sisters.Surviving is her husband of twenty-two years Henry J. Burke Jr. of Rochester, NH, a daughter Joanne Libby, and her husband Raymond of Springvale, ME, a son, Ronald Laprise and his wife Colleen of Raymond, ME, three step-daughter, Suzan Makoski of South Carolina, Kathy Ballentine and her husband John of Rochester, NH, Janice Stinglen and her husband Thomas of South Berwick, ME, and two step-sons, Richard Burke and his wife Rhonda of Glendale, AZ, and Henry J. Burke III "Skip" and his wife Lisa of Barrington, NH. Also surviving is a sister, Rita Leclerc of Sanford, a brother Roger Doiron of Sanford, seventeen grandchildren, and may great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.A period of visitation will be held this Sunday, November 4, 2007 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St. Sanford, ME. On Monday, November 5, 2007 a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, St. Therese Parish in Springvale, ME. Committal prayers will follow the mass at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.For those that desire the Burke family suggests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association, 51 US RT 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074. To leave the family a message of condolence please use the "condolences" tab to the left.