Obituary of Karen Lynn Burke

BURKE, Karen Lynn- It is with the greatest sadness My Mommy, my world, Karen Lynn Burke aka “Karen Cain” born September 12th, passed away Saturday, July 13th, 2024 at the QEII Halifax Infirmary with family by her side. There are no words to truly express my loss. The strongest woman I’ve ever known. She touched the hearts of anyone who was blessed to make her acquaintance. Mom was always willing to help and always wanted to.
 

She graduated from Halifax West High School after secretly transferring from QEH by forging her mother’s signature. After graduation, she went on to become the "best bartender" Halifax ever had. Even though she graduated from Compu College in 1994 she still couldn’t use a computer or cell phone. She worked at many of the hot clubs like The Seahorse, The Misty Moon, Zapatas, The Arrows Club, Diamond’s and of course The Derby. Known as “Mrs. Derby” to a lot, Mom was one of a kind. If she loved you, she loved you no matter what. She didn’t take any crap from anyone and was a force to be reckoned with if you did her wrong. She was always willing to be an ally and fight for her friends and family. Mommy fundraised for the Children’s Wish Foundation for almost 20 years. Sitting in many Sobeys, Walmarts and Superstores for hours. She would use her own money to get these craft Christmas Trees made out of shiny bingo dauber tops made to use as an incentive to get people to donate. If you donated any amount, you would get a ballot to win the tree. Sometimes I think she did it just to reminisce about fundraising for all my bowling trips when I was little. Mom did everything for me and loved nothing more than to talk about my many accomplishments to anyone who would listen. It was always, “my daughter Jill….” My biggest fan, she was always worried about me. Her favourite thing to do was bingo and her favourite bingo ball was O69. You could always tell when she was about to yell cause her arm would go up. She made many good friends through Bingo and some who became family. When she couldn’t go, she would wait for her best friend Vanessa Tynes to get home so she could call to get the night's gossip and find out if the big jackpot went. She also met “The Bad Girls” who managed to make her Birthdays the most special for the last few years. If Mommy wasn’t at Bingo then the only other place you could find her would be Up Home in North Preston. Mom loved her North Preston family and they loved her. She loved to go for a drive with Nonica Cain and visit with her Cain Family. Her favourite holiday was Christmas and she couldn’t wait to get up to The Family Dinner at Girl Cain’s and Miss Tutty’s house. She knew they would have a pound cake waiting for her. Mommy had such good stories and I will hold them dear. She knew everyone and everyone knew her. She knew who was related to whom and could tell you things you didn’t know about your family. A historian without even knowing it. Every summer you could find her down at the Africville Reunion sitting with her buddy Rockman making lasting memories and helping to keep the memories of those already gone alive.

She was predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Hilda Burke; best friend, "UeUe" (Lawrence Forgeron); and adopted son, Lajuane Bruce (Tito). She is survived by her only daughter, Jill; sisters, Deborah (Doug dec.), Geraldine (Wayne), and Jocelyn (Curtis); brother, Colin (Lisa); several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She loved to chat and I’m sure she is up there chatting with God now. What I would do for one more chat... I love you more than my own life Mommy and will do my best to continue to make you proud until I join you someday. I know Ueue was waiting at the gates for you and that gives me comfort.

Cremation and arrangements have been entrusted to J. Albert Walker Funeral Home, 149 Herring Cove Road, Halifax. In keeping with Karen's wishes there will be a funeral service on August 26th at 1 pm at J. Albert Walker Funeral Home. The Repast will be at the Spryfield Legion, 7 Sussex Street from 2 pm to 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honour to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. As per her wishes, she (Jill) will stay with me until one day when we can be buried together.