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Betty Joe Burke
Born: 2/6/1955
Died: 11/7/2022
Age: 67
Community: Oakland Township, formerly of Davison and Flint, MI
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Betty Joe Burke, 67, devoted mother of three and Grammie of six, passed away on November 7, 2022. She was born February 6, 1955, to the late Clarence and Betty Childs. She was raised on a farm in Flint, Michigan graduating from Kearsley High School in 1973.
She spent her professional career as an IT trailblazer. She worked to “bring people together” to develop the Internet first through her work at the University of Michigan beginning in 1974, later through Merit Network, Inc. and as the Executive Director of the North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG, Inc.). Her professional endeavors included management of a consortium of engineering professionals working to re-engineer and manage the first national, high speed internet backbone (NSFNET). She oversaw the build out of the State of Michigan’s largest technology center and coordinated IT conferences composed of an international membership community working to invent the Internet of tomorrow. She retired from the University of Michigan after 36 years of service in 2010. She retired as the Executive Director of NANOG, Inc. in 2018.
Although she was passionate and dedicated to her professional pursuits, it is the role of mother, and later Grammie, that she excelled at most. She raised her three children in Davison, Michigan. Betty was an active volunteer in her community and a high school cheerleading coach. She inspired her children to become engaged, to find their voice, and raised them to love with their whole heart. She found the most joy when she was with her family enjoying her love of the water, boating, camping at Central Lake, watching NASCAR, and supporting her children and grandchildren in all of their activities. She was by far their loudest fan, always cheering and loving them with her whole heart.
Her desire to inspire and support others continued as she battled against the rare neurodegenerative disease Multiple Symptoms Atrophy (“MSA”). In 2021 at Betty’s request, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recognized March as MSA Awareness Month. A month in which MSA patients can find their voice to educate and advocate for a disease that lacks any treatment options. She furthered scientific research by courageously participating in a clinical trial focused on finding an effective treatment for MSA. Numerous tests and doctors visits were required of her, all of which she faced unaware of whether she would receive the potential treatment or placebo.
Betty will be deeply missed by her three children: daughter Jodie (David) Danko, son Todd (Arika) Burke, and daughter Julie (Jason) Brainer, as well as grandchildren Allison and Danielle Danko, Gage and Jordyn Thrall, and J. Austin and Andrew Brainer. She is survived by her sister Linda (Mark) Ploe, brother Jim Childs, sister-in-law Diane Childs, nieces Amy (Jimmy) Flood, Jenny Nichols, Tori (Asa) Lane, Rylin (Camar) Jenkins, and many supportive extended family and friends. She will forever be the companion of her beloved dog Bo. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother David Childs.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday November 20, 2022 at the Sugarbush Golf Club, 1 Sugarbush Drive Davison, MI 48423. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon from 3:00 - 5:00pm with a tribute beginning at 4:00pm.
The family would like to offer our sincerest gratitude to the staff of Blossom Ridge including dedicated physical therapists Sonny and Terry, Blossom Springs, and Tori Burke for all of the loving care provided to Betty and her family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the MSA Coalition https://support.multiplesystematrophy.org/fundraiser/4267700.
Arrangements care of Modetz Funeral Home, Orion. Online condolences www.modetzfuneralhomes.com.
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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11/20/2022 |
| Time: |
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3:00 PM |
| A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday November 20, 2022 at the Sugarbush Golf Club, 1 Sugarbush Drive Davison, MI 48423. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon from 3:00 - 5:00pm with a tribute beginning at 4:00pm. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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11/20/2022 |
| Time: |
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4:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Sugarbush Golf Club
1 Sugarbush Dr.
Davison, MI 48423Get a Map to this location...
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