Mary D. (Bannon) Burke

Mary D. (Bannon) Burke, 90, of Harris Avenue, West Warwick, passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, September 26, 2025, surrounded by the love and comfort of her devoted family at Kent Hospital.

Born and raised in West Warwick, Mary was a lifelong resident and a proud daughter of the late John F. and Helen I. (Sayles) Bannon. She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas M. Burke, with whom she shared 50 years of marriage until his passing in 2008. Together, they built a beautiful family and a life rooted in faith, love, and service to their community.

Mary dedicated her professional life to the field of healthcare, working as a lab technician at Kent Hospital and the former Stat Lab, Inc., where her dedication and leadership led her to become Director before her retirement in 1995. Her care for others extended far beyond her career.

A woman of deep Catholic faith, Mary was an active communicant of SS. Peter and Paul Church. She served for many years as chairwoman of the parish’s cherished Christmas Bazaar and held the role of president of the SS. Peter & Paul Rosary & Altar Guild. She was also a former parishioner of St. James Parish, where she contributed her time to the Parish Council and the Mother’s Club.

Mary believed in the power of community. She was a proud member of the Red Hat Society, served on the West Warwick Democratic Town Committee, and held a position on the West Warwick Senior Center Board. Her vibrant spirit, generous heart, and sharp wit touched many lives, and she will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to faith, family, and civic duty. Among her many titles, she also held the unofficial but fiercely defended honor of being the family’s Fourth of July Cornhole Champion.

She leaves behind a legacy of love in her children: her daughter, Mary E. White and her husband Bill; and her five sons, Michael J. Burke (late wife Diane), State Senator John P. Burke (District 9), Stephen T. Burke, Clerk of Providence Superior Court, Hon. Patrick T. Burke, Special Magistrate RI Superior Court and his wife Bea, and Thomas J. Burke and his wife Sherry Weitzen.

She was the cherished grandmother of nine: Emma, Burke, Aiden, Ethan, and Phoebe White; Billie Anne Burke; and Terrance, Matthew, and Bryana Burke. Mary was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren, each of whom brought immense joy to her later years.

Mary is survived by her beloved sisters, Eleanor Keating and Sally Graham; her sister-in-law Elizabeth Bannon; and many dear nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, John F. Bannon, Jr., James Bannon, and George H. Bannon.

Her funeral will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, beginning at 8:45 a.m. from the PRATA-GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 78 Providence Street, West Warwick, followed by a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 120 Legris Avenue, West Warwick. Mary will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Coventry. Visiting hours Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions to West Warwick Assistance Agency, 1293 Main Street, West Warwick, RI 02893 in her memory would be appreciated.

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