Patricia E. Burke, 49, of Newberry, died Friday, April 15, 2005, of cancer at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, with her family by her side.

She was born July 13, 1955, in Manistique to Wesley and Bertha (nee Bryant) Smithson. She was a lifelong Newberry resident.

Mrs. Burke was a devoted homemaker who worked as a housekeeper for various families in the area, friends said. She was employed at Zellar’s Village Inn and at LJ’s Diner. Most recently, she spent her time caring for her grandchildren.

Mrs. Burke was a member of the Newberry VFW Post Ladies Auxiliary and Newberry United Methodist Church. She enjoyed camping and fishing.

She married Bud Burke May 8, 1994, in Newberry.

She is survived by her husband, Bud; six children and their families, Tina Blackmon, Tracy and Chastity Webb, Jerry Engman, and Sally Burke, all of Newberry, and Angela and Jamie Volkman of Seymour, Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren; six siblings and their families, Fred and Lois Bryant of Engadine, Barb and Tom Palmer of Newberry, Mike and Vicky Smithson of Kinross, Jerry and Laurie Smithson, Bill Smithson, and Linda Blakely, all of Newberry.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Wesley Smithson, her parents, and a nephew, Michael Smithson.

Friends called at Beaulieu Funeral Home Monday, April 18, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, April 19, at Newberry United Methodist Church from noon until 1 p.m. A funeral was held Tuesday, April 19, at 1 p.m. at Newberry United Methodist Church with Pastor Saundra Clark officiating.

Interment will follow at Forest Home Cemetery of Newberry.