In everything she did, Lisa Burke was a giver of her time, of her wisdom, and of her love. She was an incredible wife, mother, newly crowned grandmother, friend, teacher, mentor, and servant of God and of others. Lisa loved Jesus with all of her heart.
Lisa was a physical representation of love, strength, and generosity, because she was a woman of actions, of hard work, and of selfless sacrifice. Her acts of kindness spoke into the lives of many people.
Lisa was born on May 11, 1948 in Leavenworth, Kansas. Her father was a colonel in the U.S. Army and her family moved throughout her life. The Rowan family eventually settled in Georgia, a place that Lisa held very dear to her heart and returned to every year for a family vacation. Lisa passed away in a tragic automobile accident on May 7, 2008. Lisa was preceded in death by her father, Robert, and is survived by her husband, Michael, her children, Katherine, Caroline Llewelyn (and Matthew), Robert (and Jamie), James, her grandson, James Llewelyn, her mother, Katherine, her uncle, J.C., her siblings, Duncan , Lucy, Bruce, and Caroline, her mother-in-law, Wanda, and many other beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces.
As far back as her time spent working with Campus Crusade for Christ in Sacramento, Lisa was giving her time, her love, and her knowledge of the love of God to youth, bringing them to Christ. It was there in Sacramento that Lisa met her husband of 33 years, Michael Burke, who was also serving in an outreach ministry.
On August 9, 1975, Lisa and Michael married, and two weeks later became teachers at the same elementary school in Vallejo. Upon marrying Michael, Lisa’s servants’ heart grew even greater and she gave her time, love and wisdom selflessly and sacrificially to her husband and four children. The Burke family moved to Antioch in 1984, and Lisa provided strength and support as Michael served as a youth pastor at a church and later as lead pastor at New Hope Community Church. The ministry was deeply a part of her life and she committed so much of herself to strengthening it.
Lisa was able to stay home to raise her children; and with them, Lisa would never miss a teaching moment. She poured herself into her children, teaching them her life values that God had taught her. She taught them the importance of family and as Caroline and Robert married, she extended her love unreservedly to their spouses. Her first grandson, James, was born in November of 2007 and her love and joy shined brighter than ever as she listened to him laugh. Lisa taught her children how to care for others by doing even the smallest things for them. She taught them how to find the beauty in people, in places, in the wind, and in the trees. She taught them to live simply, to give more, and to expect less. She taught all of these things by living them out herself; and anyone who knows her children can see pieces of Lisa living through them.
After staying home with her young children, Lisa returned to work for the Contra Costa County Office of Education at O'hara Park Middle School as a special education teacher working with severely and multiply handicapped students. Lisa loved working with her classroom aides, with the faculty, and with the families of her students. Lisa treated her students like they were her own children. She valued and celebrated their lives, pouring her love, time, and knowledge into them to help them reach their full potential.
Lisa never took shortcuts; she worked hard to do the work she felt she was called to do and she positively affected the lives of so many in doing so. Lisa invested her time in people, caring for and giving to those in need, and serving others with Christ’s love. Her involvement in the church was lifelong and her serving of others was a lifestyle that she lived out daily with an energy that filled a room, a smile that warmed hearts, and an honesty and sincerity that built trust and security.
Lisa’s life was truly a song that still plays in the hearts of all who knew her.
The Lisa Burke Memorial Fund
In memory of Lisa Burke and to honor her Christian commitment to those in need, gifts can be donated in her name to World Vision.
Make checks payable to:
World Vision
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
Please specify Account #105429196 on your check or credit card donation.
Or...
Give online to Lisa's Memorial Fund: www.firstgiving.com/lisaburke1
More Memories:
A Video of Lisa with Baby James (about 5 months ago)
News Articles:
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