Little Lorraine/Dartmouth
Without a complaint our darling sister passed as she lived. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful compassionate sister, Charlene, at home in the village of Little Lorraine with family, friends and her fur baby Missy by her side on Monday, September 16, 2019 at the age of 56.
Born on July 19, 1963, Charlene was the daughter of the late Kathleen (Ley) and Joseph Burke.
Charlene’s entire working career was in service of others. Early in her career, she had an adult home care business and later she moved into the nursing home and hospital setting taking care of those who needed her tender care. Charlene’s patients were treated as family and this was made evident when she became a patient herself. Her good friend, Dianne Blair whom she met through the health care field, lovingly cared for Charlene at the end of life. We are extremely grateful.
Family always came first with Charlene, and as sisters we always knew she loved us with all that she had. We have lost a compassionate, warm hearted and straight talking, tell it like it is friend.
Charlene’s love of animals could not be matched, and her fur babies were treated royally.
Charlene is survived by her partner, Donnie MacIntyre; siblings, Josephine (Jerry) Kennedy, Frankie (Shelley) Burke, Natasha (Terry) Morash, Lori (David) Burke; step-children, Amanda Robichaud and Branden Leightizer; nieces and nephews, Nicole, Ryan, Kara, Annie Leigh, Brendan, Leeanne, and Stephanie as well as several great-grand-nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Charlene was predeceased by her husband, Mike Leightizer; brother Jamie Burke and his wife, Anne; grandparents, William E. and Mary Anne Burke and James and Catherine Ley.
Visitation for the late Charlene Burke Leightizer will take place at Immaculate Conception Church in Main-a-Dieu on Thursday, September 19, 2019 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with Funeral Mass celebrated on Friday, September 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. with Father Bill Burke officiating.
We would like to thank VON and Palliative Care for their gentle caring of Charlene and our family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton and the SPCA.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
“I don’t need my name in the marquee lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
We’ve been so busy keepin’ up with the Jones’
Four car garage and we’re still building on
Maybe it’s time we go back to the basics of love
Ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain”
:Waylon Jennings, Luckenbach Texas
Online Condolences
My heartfelt thoughts, prayers and sympathies go out to all of Charlene’s family….she was the best….may she R.I.P
From: Beverly Burke
Heartfelt sympathies to Donnie and Charlenes family .
From: Patricia Carter Berringer
I’m so sorry to hear about Charlene….she was my best friend for many years…we lost touch. I’ll miss you always char
From: Deana Gilbert
It was very nice to know you, Charlene,grew up with you, and went to school with you,it was a pleasure to have known you. Rest In Peace, my dear friend and neighbor.we will never forget you, dear sweet friend. R.I.P.
so, this is it Char. You took the leap for another journey. You embarked on Dumbledore’s train and I don’t really know if you saw me waiving at you my goodbyes.
If you see Freud, ask him how his psychoanalysis worked on God. And say it to me straight, like you always did, but use the dream’s world. After you enjoy your loved ones, please have a look for my loved ones too; mostly Eastern European block; You gonna like them like you liked me. I hope they are not so competitive anymore. Tell them that I went swimming with the whales on my birthday and that I am 10 times humbler now. And after that, Enjoy your Heaven!
Hope you’ll be waiting for me with another “Welcome into the neighbourhood” cake, like you did before in this world. Until then, you should know I miss you so much. Rest in peace girl!
Rest in Peace, until we meet again. My thoughts are with the family. Good friend and class mate. It was a pleasure to grow up with you, many, many good memories and memories are what stay with us forever,even after death. Rest In Peace dear friend, until we meet again.
Rest in peace Charlene,until we meet again. It was a pleasure to grown up with you and going to school with you. Your memories will always be with me, a good friend and neighbor indeed. Rest In Peace, my dear friend, until we meet again
I’m so sorry for the family and friends of Charlene. It’s been many years since we ‘hung’ but I’ll never forget her distinguishable laugh :-). Rest in Peace, Charlene XO
We met by chance. I do believe that you meet the people that you need. I guess we needed you. So kind and open hearted (and open minded as well). Please know that her “adopted family” in Toronto send their condolences to all that knew Charlene. In our prayers she will stay, in our hearts she will remain forever! Sending love… ❤️