Sr. Mary Carol Burke, OP
Born into Eternal Life April 18, 2009

Sister Mary Carol Burke, OP of Dominican Convent, Sparkill, New York, died on Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Siena Hall Infirmary, Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY.

Born in St. Louis, MO on April 16, 1938, Mary Carol was the daughter of William G. and Alice Blaisdell Burke.  Mary Carol entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1956, and became known as Sister Mary Carol, professing her first vows in 1958 and her final vows in 1963.

Sister Mary Carol earned a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY in 1961 and an MA in Music Education from the DePaul University, Chicago, IL in 1971.  She also attended the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, MO for classes in preaching.

During her professional life, Sister Mary Carol taught elementary school in the Archdioceses of New York and St. Louis and in the diocese of Jefferson City, MO.  She ministered at St. Helena, Bronx, NY (1958-60); St. Brendan, Bronx, NY (1960-61); St. Pius X, Scarsdale, NY (1961-65); Holy Rosary, Monroe City, MO (1965-70); St. James, St. Louis, MO (1970-73); St. Mary Magdalene, Brentwood, MO (1974-86); St. Simon, Green Park, MO (1986-90); Little Flower, Richmond Hts., MO (1990-92) and St. Paul, Fenton, MO (1992-01).  From 2003-08 she was Vocation Director for the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill.

Sister Mary Carol will be remembered for her zest for life, her gentle and caring ways, her love of music and her ever-lasting commitment to the Dominican family.  We are grateful for her faithfulness to her religious profession as a Dominican Sister of Sparkill for 52 years.  Her positive attitude during her years of illness was an example to each of us of how to live in spite of adversities, to not give up and to be accepting of what is to be in one’s life. 

She will be missed by many, but will always be remembered.  May she be at peace with the God who loved her and may she rest in peace.  Amen.