Joan Marie Burke, 89, retired Union Beach School District social worker, beloved mother and grandmother, died in her sleep Aug. 15.
Born Joan Marie Trenery in Red Bank, she was raised in Keansburg and was the valedictorian of her high school class in 1946. After graduation from Syracuse University with a degree in journalism, she worked for the Red Bank Daily Register. At age 49, she went back to Rutgers University and obtained a master’s degree in social services. She served various local school districts in Monmouth County for another 10 years.
She also volunteered as a counselor at Catholic Charities in Red Bank for several years. A long-time resident of Middletown, she was a dedicated parishioner of Old First Church for over 50 years. She loved reading, traveling, playing her accordion and indulging her grandchildren.
Joan was the daughter of the late Richard and Josephine Trenery and was predeceased by her husband of 21 years Richard E. Burke in 1984.
Joan is survived by her sister, Diane Williams of Bloomington, Indiana; her son, Richard and beloved daughter-in-law, Debra of Cranbury; her daughter, Constance, of Red Bank; her daughter, Kathy and husband William McKenzie of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; and her daughter Carol and husband Thomas Roggy of Lewisville, Texas. She also leaves four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at Old First Church, Middletown in the fall. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Old First Church, 69 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ 07748.
