Jennie Burke

Jennie Burke (born Jennie Shirley Spegel)

We are so sad to announce the passing of Jennie Burke, on Saturday, December 12th at home with her son and daughter at her side. Beloved wife of the late Ben Burke, cherished mother of Eric Burke and Sandy Litman, and mother in-law of Kathy and Moe. Jennie thoroughly enjoyed all of her grandchildren: Orin, Arlo, Cass and Chloe, Graeme, Nathan, Aerian and Michael and her great grandchildren: Reuben, Levi, Emmet, Kobe, Beck, Jude, Sydona, Axel, Maisy, Miles, Emma and Owen. We will all miss her warmth, love, optimism and relentless dedication to family and good friends. A life well lived.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

The funeral will be live-streamed. Please go to https://smclive.ca/ on Monday, December 14th at 1:00 p.m.

Date of Death: Saturday, December 12, 2020

Yahrzeit Day: 26 Kislev

Date of Funeral: Monday, December 14, 2020

Memorial Service Location: Private Family Service

Burial Service Location: Pardes Shalom Cemetery, Adath Israel Synagogue section

Shiva Details: Private Shiva

Message of Condolence

Posted on 13.12.2020 - 12:31 PM

Cindy Fromstein

To all my cousins – I am so sorry that I cannot be with you at a shiva, to hug you all, and to honour my aunt Jennie with loving reminiscences. The last of 7 and my mom’s best friend, who always opened her home and her heart to me and my family, and who, alongside uncle Ben, made life more fun. She took such pride in all of you. I hope that we can be together soon to share our love and memories. Love, Cindy, David, Ariel and Cole

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Posted on 13.12.2020 - 4:12 PM

Anna Silver

Please except my condolences. I loved my cousin Jenny so much and I’m so sad for everyone that she is gone. I wish I could be there to honor her.

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Posted on 13.12.2020 - 8:41 PM

Deborah Salsberg and family

My heartfelt condolences to all my cousins and our sad goodbye to Jennie. I will miss her warmth, humour, her energy and that fabulous smile. I have so many fond memories growing up with her and Uncle Ben- I can’t help but smile remembering the antics! I look forward to hugging you all and sharing those memories. I will sorely miss my Auntie Jennie.

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Posted on 13.12.2020 - 11:10 PM

Jody Spegel

My deepest condolences to Sandy and Moe and Eric and Kathy and your families. I am so saddened to hear of Aunty Jennie’s passing. She was a loving and kind woman. Jennie and Ben always made me feel welcomed into their family. May all the wonderful memories you shared together help you through this difficult time. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 1:57 AM

Virginia Reymes

Sorry for our loss. Jennie was a very special woman, kind to me. She & Ben were always there for G. Now she is Going Home to Ben, family & friends. A life well lived. Affectionately, Ginny

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 8:36 AM

Glickman Family

We are so sorry foe your loss. We have so many great memories of being with Jenny at your cottage. Sending love.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 8:50 AM

Firsten Family

We are sending our love and good thoughts on your great loss. Jennie will be greatly missed.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 9:42 AM

MIchael Shulman

Very sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of Jennie from when I was a child.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 9:57 AM

Judi Kohn

Sorry for your loss, Sandy and Moe and families. I have fond memories of many visits to your home and lots of interaction with your Mom. I always felt welcome and happy being in your home. May her memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 10:15 AM

Rick Levine and Sylvia Greenspoon

To the entire Burke family: Sending our condolences to all of you. May we all be inspired by Jennie's qualities of warmth, love and as you put it so well, relentless dedication to family and good friends. We fondly remember gatherings with her and Ben. Her light shines brightly in our hearts.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 10:32 AM

Carol Jupiter

I, too, join others in reviewing memories of family gatherings, stories and the warmth that permeated everything. I extend my condolences to all of my cousins and hope that you are well and doing everything to stay safe. Carol Linda aka Carol Jupiter

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 10:56 AM

Mark Levine

Ever since, as a small boy, I spent a week at Uncle Ben and Aunty Jenny’s cottage, I’ve had a special place in my heart for my aunt. She treated me about as well as my own Mom did and made me feel so welcomed. She even introduced me to new foods that have remained favourites to this day. I learned, over the subsequent years, that was who Jenny was! I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to have lunch with her about a year and a half ago. I’ll miss her.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 11:55 AM

Barbara Burke

I was very saddened to hear of Auntie Jennie"s passing. I have fond memories of her and she will be greatly missed.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 1:02 PM

Nathan Oesch

Very sorry to hear of Jennie's passing- she was a great Bubbe. A very special lady with much warmth and good humor- kind, thoughtful and much joy to be around. Very sorry that I cannot be with everyone during this hard time. My thoughts, heart and prayers are with you all. She will be greatly missed.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 1:41 PM

Alex & Betty Tesler

To Sandy, Moe and family - Alex and I are so sorry for your loss and extend our deepest condolences to you and the family. Jenny was a remarkable woman. She lived a full life surrounded by family and friends. May you find comfort in the many shared memories that you have and may her memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 1:45 PM

Charles and Dawn Levine

Dear Sandy, Eric and families; Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother, Aunty Jennie was such a kind and loving person. We have vivid memories of many joyful gatherings on Waterloo Avenue and of course at Balfour Beach filled with laughter and good food courtesy of your mom. It is has become the responsibility of our generation to continue the family gatherings, sharing good times together and most important, carrying on the traditions that our parents so lovingly demonstrated over the years. Our love and best wishes are with you at this time and always.

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Posted on 14.12.2020 - 2:01 PM

Cec and Zal Press

Our deepest condolences on your loss. Jenny has always held a very special place in my heart. Wishing you strength, comfort and love during the difficult days ahead. Cec and Zal Press and Family

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Posted on 15.12.2020 - 9:29 AM

Harvey Kestenberg

Back in the early 1960’s and before my graduation as a C. A. , my wife Goldie and I together with the first two of our 4 daughters lived on the same floor of the same apartment complex on Wilson Ave. Dad and Mom took us in as quasi-adoptees and treated us so well that we can never forget their friendship and caring. Dad (Ben) invited me to come and meet friends such as Moishe & Allan, taught me how to play crazy 8’s and made sure that when your family moved out, Goldie and I would get your vacated 3 bedroom apartment. It is with great fondness together with sadness that we remember Jennie and Ben

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Posted on 15.12.2020 - 7:39 PM

Manny and Sharon Tward

Dear Sandy, Eric and Family; For us, that have known and been part of your family for some 50 or more years, please accept our heartfelt condolences for the life well lived by your mother. We often think of your father and mother with warmth and fond memories.

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Posted on 15.12.2020 - 9:59 PM

Judi Gottlieb

Dear Jennie’s Family As a former Balfour Beacher, you know how we have all felt like we were one family. I adored Jennie and Ben. Age made no difference in being friends with them. They were so much fun and so cool! I am very saddened to hear of Jennie’s passing. Please accept my deepest condolences . May you know no more sorrow. Judi Gottlieb

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Posted on 16.12.2020 - 2:22 PM

morris cohen

I is with sadness on hearing of the passing of Jjnnie. She shall be missed morris and ida cohen

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Posted on 16.12.2020 - 4:13 PM

Shirley and.Elie Garfinkel

Sending our heartfelt condolences and virtual hugs to all. We will always remember Jennie fondly. May her memory be a blessing and may you always be comforted by your wonderful memories.

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Posted on 21.12.2020 - 11:50 AM

Ellen Warren Fichtenbaum

Dear Sandy, Eric and families - I had seen Jennie and Ben in recent years mainly at my father Terry Warren's Balfour Beach cottage and, occasionally, at shul. But it was very nice reconnecting on those occasions. So sad that all of them are now gone. Please accept our condolences on her passing from the Warren and Fichtenbaum families. Be well, Ellen

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Posted on 13.01.2021 - 3:41 PM

Marla Shoom

When I think of Balfour Beach I think of family - and fond memories. We were a strong and friendly community, and everyone looked out for each other. That's the way I think of both Jennie and Ben. Jennie was always smiling, energetic and caring. Happy to have had the pleasure of shared memories and am sad to say goodbye. She is leaving behind an amazing family, so they did something right!

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