Janet Anne Burke

Janet Anne Grady Burke was born in St Francis Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut on September 21, 1934. Janet was the youngest of four children (Robert Jr. (Buddy) Grady, Genevieve Elliott, and Jean Conway, now all deceased) born to Robert Francis and Celia Cullen Grady of West Hartford, CT. The family were all members of the St Augustine Parish. Janet went to Bulkeley High School in Hartford, graduating in 1952. Instead of college, she started work at the Southern New England Telephone Company as an operator, with later promotions to training new operators. Janet and her friend Joan Gleason had many adventures during this time including trips to Bermuda and Hawaii, even ending up in the paper with their international travels.

On February 6, 1960, Janet married John William Burke, also from West Hartford, and they eventually settled in Wethersfield, CT. Their children (Arline Anne McCloskey, David John Burke, Peter Joseph Burke, and Michael John Burke) were all born during this time. In 1966, John's company (Traveler's Insurance) transferred him to their Newark, New Jersey office, so they bought a home and settled in Hazlet, NJ. They never lost touch with their CT extended family, traveling back up for holidays and picnics at her Uncle Harry's farm in Rockville, CT. Janet was very active in the Hazlet community in Girl Scouts, as a Cub Scout Den Mother (Pack 130, Sycamore Drive School), PTA President, St Benedict's parish, and Raritan High School band parents. She had great friends in her neighborhood who regularly played cards (canasta), watched each other's children, and organized summer block parties. Following John's transfer to Garden City, Long Island, New York office, they moved again in 1984 following Arline's marriage to Kevin McCloskey, and Michael's high school graduation, to West Babylon, NY. Now that they were empty nesters (although not a term at that time), Janet started working for JC Penney as an operator and sales representative. She loved the team there and made great friends. She always made the best of any situation, including life with no power for 2 weeks after Hurricane Gloria in 1985. Following John's retirement from the Traveler's, they made their final move to Lanoka Harbour, NJ in 1993. She continued working for JC Penney at their Toms River location, retiring after a total of 10 years. They picked their new home in order to be near their children and now grandchildren, and also the Jersey Shore. Janet loved the beach and took great pleasure in spending time there with John. Their home served as holiday gathering place for the family, where Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthday celebrations were always lots of fun because of her great cooking and good humor! Her pumpkin cookies were the favorite of all of the children and grandchildren. She was very active in the community including the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, St. Pius X Church thrift shop, and the Democrat club. Following John's passing in 2015, she continued to volunteer at St. Pius' church and stayed close to her friends and family.

Janet is survived by Arline McCloskey, David and Stephanie Burke, Peter and Uta Burke, Michael and Cheryl Burke; her Grandchildren Meghan McCloskey, Erin Fullmer (married to Dustin Fullmer), Brendan McCloskey (married to Stephanie McCloskey), Katie Burke, Tim Burke (engaged to Jacqueline White), James Burke, Hayley Burke, and Brittany Burke; and Great Grandchildren Connor Fullmer, Claire Fullmer, and Kevin McCloskey

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