Courtesy Her Daughter Sandy Burke |
Beatrice Doris Burke
July 31, 1928 - May 19, 2005
Photo taken in 1944 at Age 16
2868 Cushing Road (1954-1961)
Tribute to Beatrice
by Her Daughter Sandy
"During the time we lived in Fairview, my Mom was many things. I will try to give you some insight into the wonderful woman that she was, and continued to be, until her passing.
"She had a flair for applying make up and also for sewing up dress’s, for costumes, whether it was for Halloween, garage shows, or for a school play. I was the lucky recipient of a professionally made-up face and the most beautiful costumes, all made lovingly by my Mom.
"I was in a play, at Yorkship School. It was a period play and I was to play the part of a 18th-century woman. I was to perform a dance, called the minuet, with other classmates. My Mom made my dress and placed a powdered wig on my head. Of course, the makeup was applied. She even included a beauty mark, on my tiny face. I was so excited; I could hardly sleep the night before. I was lying in her bed, anxiously waiting for the morning to begin, when my Mom appeared at my bedroom door. Beatrice knew how excited I was and she smiled, lovingly at me. My heart swelled with pride, knowing my Mother was so involved in my interests and pleased for anything that made me happy.
Beatrice with Son Skeeter and Daughter Sandy |
"Ballet lessons at the building, beside the Skating Rink - every Saturday, my Mom would take me. Then, there was Tap Dancing lessons. I still have my ballet shoes, and my Brownie uniform. My Mom was a saver. She knew the value, of saving specific items, in a young child’s life. She saved my locks of hair, teeth and baby silverware among other things.
"Thanksgiving was a wonderful Holiday for our family. The night before, Mom Burke would lovingly prepare the stuffing. Me and my brother Skeeter would help, by chopping celery and onions. Sipping eggnog was a treat, that was sure to entice a child to help prepare the meal. Pies were prepared. Our favorites were Pumpkin and Mince Meat. My Mom would awaken at 5 am, to put the turkey in the oven. After the Holiday dinner was eaten, tea towels were placed over the turkey - and it was left out on the table, to eat later! And we didn't die - from eating it!!
"Christmas - A magical and wonderful Holiday. I remember going to the Santa Claus house, on Main Street, in Merchantville. A teeny tiny, house, where Santa sat, with his elf and listened to your long list of toys, that you wished for. A candy cane was give, upon your exit. A real reindeer was outside the Santa House. Candy was bought, at Aunt Charlotte’s. Christmas trees, in those days, were all real. No fakes. Bought at Gaudio's. And they were not put up, until Christmas Eve. Skeeter and I were allowed to only put one ornament on the tree and then off to bed - usually at 7 pm. A memory of one Christmas Eve - Skeeter and I heard the unmistakable "Ho, Ho, Ho" of Santa. We had left the plate of cookies for him and we ran downstairs to see - Santa! There he was - except, I recognized him as Mr. Hunt! A neighbor. I kept saying "It’s Mr. Hunt!
Beatrice with Daughter Sandy |
"My beloved Dad once slept at the bottom of the stairs, so that Skeeter and I could not pass by him, to see the Tree and the gifts, before it was time. I remember standing on the toilet and peering out the window, to see if any other families were up and about at 4am. Only one family ever was. The Whitings. Skeeter and I went to bed and saw a sparse Tree, decorated with just two ornaments. When we awoke (at 4 am) we were told to 'wait until 6 am.' I can still hear my parents voices saying 'Ok, come on down.' We would fall over each other, getting down the stairs - and then we would stop in our tracks - mesmerized by the beauty, of that sparse little Christmas Tree. The Tree had been transformed into a wonder, to behold. Beautiful colored lights, with bulbs as big as your thumbs, twinkled and glowed. Tinsel covered every inch of the Tree. The star on top was lighted and shone down on the masterpiece. Ferris and Beatrice Burke had seen to it, that their children, once again, had a beautiful Tree. We always received most of what we asked for. And of course, there was always socks and clothes, which were not wanted, but given anyway. Books, (Nancy Drew) a diary, a transistor radio, a circle pin, a tape recorder, dolls, (Tiny Tears, Patty Play Pal and a Bride doll) a doll house, sleeping bag, easy bake stove - were all favorites of mine.
Baby Beatrice |
"My Mother was born in Cramer Hill, NJ in 1928. She was the oldest child born to Beatrice and Arthur Roberts. She had a younger brother and sister: Davey and Irene.
"She was so very beautiful - as a child - and as an adult. She, like my dad, looked like a Movie Star. My Dad used to call her 'Betty Boop.' I thought she looked like Rita Hayworth.
"She was forced to quit school when she was in 10th grade at Woodrow Wilson High School to help with family finances. She took a job at Blauners Department Store as a sales clerk. Her real desire, however, was to be an interior decorator. My Mother had a flair for making a house into a home - just with decoration. She was a natural. We always received compliments on our beautiful home. She devoured books, on Interior Design. I have one of her favorites, with passages underlined. I cherish it. Before she passed away, she picked out my drapes, for my house. I have her on video tape - giving direction, on how to hang them - they will always remain in my home. A last loving gift from my Mom. They are beautiful, as was she.
Beatrice at Age 12 |
"My Mom also wanted to be a nurse. She never fulfilled that dream - as she began instead, to have children and begin her family. She never lost the desire though, to work in a hospital - I found out, after she passed away - as I was going through her papers - that she had applied to be a volunteer nurses aide, at West Jersey Hospital in Berlin, NJ.
"She eventually settled into her occupation - where she met my Dad. She was a dispatcher for a taxi cab company. My dad, after returning from the war, took a job as a driver. They fell head over heels in love.
"After they married, my Mom was a Bell Telephone Operator. I remember going to work with her once and being so proud of her. How she could put those wires into the correct connection and not screw up was very impressive to me.
"My Mother loved Christmas. She was like a child during the Holiday. She made every effort to make sure her family had a beautiful Christmas and she succeeded. We made foil wreaths, strung popcorn, sprayed 'fake snow' onto the windows, sang Christmas Carols - all of it. It was a magical time. Thanks to my Mom.
"My Mother loved her soap operas. As a kid, I can remember her listening to 'The Guiding Light' (a 15-minute program on the radio) while I napped.
Beatrice at Age 14 |
"She had a rough childhood, but she never let it affect our family life. She loved to watch TV. She watched everything. When I worked at the casino in Atlantic City I met a lot of celebrities. I always made sure I got an autograph - for my Mom.
"She had a great sense of humor. She could put me in stitches, when no one else could. She loved the beach. I took her there on many occasions. Long Beach Island. When she was dying, I told her of stories of the beach. The salt air, the seagulls, the waves crashing - the sunburns, that we fair-skinned mother and daughter, always brought home --- (we always looked like lobsters!)
"The stories of the beach, seemed to calm her in her last moments.
"I am a lot like my Mother. Everyone I meet tells me 'You look just like your Mom.' It is a compliment. She was beautiful. I used to ponder, as a child 'I wonder what I will look like, when I am old?' and she would say 'Just look at me!'
"I miss my Mother. I miss her laugh. Her common sense. Her sense of humor. Her willingness to fight for what she believed in. Her calm voice, telling me that 'everything will be all right' - it never will be again - because she is not here."
Sandra Lee Collison nee Burke
November 2007
2868 Cushing Road
Fairview, Camden, NJ
1953-1961
Beatrice at Age 12 | 
Beatrice at Age 16 |