BURKE, DAWN H.

Dawn H. Burke, 64, beloved wife and the sunshine of Leonard K. Burke’s life passed away suddenly from complications related to her courageous fight against Pancreatic Cancer on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Yale-New Haven Smilow Cancer Hospital. She maintained her positive attitude and infectious sense of humor that lifted up all of us during her challenging journey battling this disease. Dawn was born October 5, 1954 in Hamden, Connecticut. Devoted daughter of Rita C. Hutchinson and the late Walter F. Hutchinson. Dawn grew up in Hamden and exceled in academics and athletics at Hamden High. She attended Boston College where she met Lenny on the first day of school in September 1972 and graduated Class of 1976 with a BS in Marketing. After college she embarked on a business career that included several varied positions prior to her marriage, including Osco Drug-Assistant Store Manager, Anheuser Busch Companies-Marketing Rep and Charette Co-Sales Rep. After Dawn’s marriage to Lenny in May 1980, her full-time commitment to building a family presented a break in company employment but allowed her to embark on building the job that was most enriching and rewarding – the work that she was most proud of – being a phenomenal Mom and Life Partner Wife. Once the kids were well on their way in school, she reengaged the business career working for CVS Pharmacy managing the Hallmark Cards sections, The Children’s Museum in West Hartford as Director of Development, Bristol Hospital as Director of Development, Easterseals as Director of Development and most recently as the Director of Development at Bristol Boys and Girls Club. Dawn lived and raised her family in West Hartford for 34 years and most recently lived in Avon, CT. She was a dedicated, loving and cherished mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She spent much of her time giving of herself to do good works which most often improved other peoples trajectory in life. Dawn had announced her retirement in January 2018 to be effective on June 29, 2018 to play a lot of golf and spend time with her family and precious grandchild, Shea. Unfortunately, she learned of her diagnosis on June 16, 2018. Dawn is survived by her adoring husband of 38 years, Leonard K. Burke of Avon, CT; her dedicated and cherished mother, Rita C. Hutchinson of Cheshire, CT; her four loving children and their families; Kevin Burke of Farmington, CT; Kelly and Sebastian Burzacchi and their daughter Shea of Scottsdale, AZ; Matthew Burke of Avon, CT and Molly Burke of Boston, MA; her devoted brother, Dr. Gordon Hutchinson and his wife Margrit of Branford, CT and their children, Dr. Christoph Hutchinson and Maya Hutchinson; her loving brother, Brian Hutchinson and his wife Carmen of Beacon Falls, CT. The Burke family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the medical professionals at St. Francis Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale-New Haven Smilow Cancer Hospital. Dawn was The Sunshine of Everyone’s Lives that she touched, particularly her children and loyal husband, her best friend. She found joy in giving to others, volunteering and cherishing every single moment that she had with her family and so many friends.

She will be forever remembered for her “light up the room” personality, energized conversation, riveting storytelling, wit, charm, kindness, integrity, strength, infectious smile, punctuating laughter, loving energy and uplifting spirit that she brought to every aspect of her life. We are all honored and better people for having her as the center of our lives. She will be sorely missed but we know that she will be present in our hearts, minds and souls.

Calling hours will be Tuesday (Dec. 11th) from 4-7 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday (Dec. 12th) at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Donations in Dawn’s memory may be made www.projectpurple.org to support pancreatic cancer research and patient support. Please note the contribution is being made in memory of Dawn H. Burke. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com