Obituaries

After a short stay at the hospital, “Connie” passed away on the morning of January 25, 2024, at the age of 88. She was born in Seattle on December 15, 1935, to David and Doris Wallbom. She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Ronald R. Burke, who passed away on September 1, 2020.

She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Hoppe-Denend and her son Lawrence Burke, plus 6 grandsons and 6 great-grandchildren. She graduated from the University of Washington in Sociology in 1958. She worked alongside her husband as an administrative assistant/bookkeeper in their commercial architectural business, The Reese Associates, from 1988 – 2017. With her husband, she was also the co-editor of “The Sea Chest” from 2001-2017, a quarterly journal sponsored by the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society. During this time, they also co-authored a number of articles depicting some aspects of marine history. Connie was a Girl Scout in her youth, and she enjoyed being a Girl Scout Leader and a Cub Scout Den Mother when her children were in those programs. Connie served as a Sunday School teacher and deaconess for over 35 years at West Side Presbyterian Church.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on February 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at West Side Presbyterian
Church. 3601 California Ave. Seattle, WA 98116.