Dorothy (Penta) Burke

Dorothy (Penta) Burke, age 97, formerly of Littleton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 20, 2020, after a brief illness. Dorothy was born on January 9, 1923, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to Michael Penta and Josephine (Vacarro) Penta.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Major Philip T. Burke, and her beloved daughter, Marie Burke.

Dorothy cherished her immediate and extended family relationships. She devoted her life to creating a loving home and nurturing and supporting her family. She was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, cousin, and aunt.

She was one of seven children and enjoyed a loving and close knit connection with her brothers and sisters and their families throughout her life. Likewise, she was very close to her husband's siblings and their families. She was always there to offer comfort and support to family when needed.


As a young married couple, Dorothy and Philip traveled to and lived in many different places, including a number of years in Panama, which she often recalled fondly. Eventually the couple and their young children settled in Littleton, Massachusetts. Later in life, Dorothy and her husband, Phil, would winter in Florida, where they loved walking the beach, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Dorothy loved cooking her Italian specialties for her family and serving her homemade pies for the holidays. Dorothy also enjoyed feeding the birds and working in her flower gardens. She could often be found on her back porch sipping tea and enjoying the hummingbirds at her feeders.

Dorothy was a member of Saint Anne's Church in Littleton.

She will be missed by all whose lives she touched, especially her immediate family Jeri and Chris Callahan; Michael Burke; Dr. Cynthia Burke and Barbara Dowd; Richard Cande; Jennifer, Adam and Domenic Pieroni; and Benjamin Sr., Benjamin Jr. and Jameson Cande. She will also be fondly remembered by her many beloved nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in Dorothy's name to Disabled American Veterans online at www.dav.org

Due to the Covid pandemic, services will remain limited to family only.

To view Dorothy's funeral service please follow the link: https://youtu.be/2vqFXvxze7I