Kathleen J Burke, 79, of Howard County, passed away peacefully Friday, July 23 ^rd with family by her side. Originally from Lebanon, New Hampshire, Kathy graduated from Russel Sage College in New York.  Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Kathleen was an avid hockey fan, gardener, traveler, and food aficionado. She had a tough "New England brusque" exterior with a secretly soft heart. She never missed a chance to be near the ocean  and always generously shared the opportunity to get there. Kathleen enjoyed playing card games with her many friends, but perhaps her most lasting legacy was her staunch advocacy of family and family gatherings.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bruce and sisters, Mary Rauner and Judith Schimmel. Survived by her children, Sean and Leah (Bonasorte) Burke; Kerry Burke; and Ryan and Christine (Oles) Burke; grandchildren, Meghan, Alexandra, Liam, and Grace; siblings, Susan (Brown) and Henry Campbell; Matthew and Sharon Brown; Richard Rauner; and Brian and Luanne Burke; cousin, Gregory Elliott; and many nieces and nephews.

Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please remember Kathleen with contributions to the J ohns Hopkins Hospital Neurosciences Critical Care Unit , 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21287.