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Catherine "Jo" Wells Burke
Born: 6/10/1920
Died: 3/25/2016
Age: 95
Community: Grand Blanc, MI
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Catherine "Jo" Wells Burke, passed peacefully on Good Friday, March 25, 2016, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Jo's strength, grace, and kindness guided and comforted all who were fortunate enough to know her. Arriving on June 10, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan as the first-born of Arthur and Catherine (Yott) Parkllan, Catherine ("Jo" to her family) was a natural born leader. She influenced and inspired her siblings, cousins, and friends with her confidence, sense of adventure and purpose in the early years. Jo's reach extended in later decades to include her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends and students. Serving others was Jo's calling and her gift. She opened her arms and her generous heart to those in need. Jo earned her Bachelor's degree from Wayne State University (WSU) in deaf education, completed graduate courses at Columbia University, and earned a Master's degree from the University of Michigan. She instructed generations of children at Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD). Jo was born of immigrant parents and warmly welcomed the foreign-born at Flint's International Institute, teaching English and preparing her students for American citizenship. She participated and served in leadership roles in AAUW, Wayne State Alumni, Civitan, and Eastern Star. Jo's energy, spirit, and soul were boundless. She lived her values of faith, hope and love, with never an unkind word or deed. As her health declined, Jo's optimism and gratitude for each day were undiminished. We were blessed to have her in our midst. She was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Charles A. Wells, second husband Harry Burke, brother Arthur Parkllan, and sister Alma P. Smith. Jo is survived by those she loved so well, including her children: Allen Wells, Catherine Wells (Bruce Robinson), Mariella Wells, Ruthanne Wells (Michael) Cantor, Jonathan Leonard; grandchildren: Lark-Aeryn (David) Speyer, Catherine Robinson (Anthony Gaston), Patrick (Heather Fraser) Leonard, Mary Cantor, and Madeleine Cantor: great-grandchildren: Josephine and Sidney Speyer, Catherine Gaston, and Juliella Leonard; siblings: Ethel Parkllan Spahn and Bill Parkllan; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. The family thanks the staff of Prestige Pointe and Gentiva Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of "Miss Catherine" during the last years of her life. A private memorial service will be held, with time to be determined. Donations in Catherine Jo's memory may be made to The Humane Society of Genesee County. Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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3/26/2016 |
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