JACQUELINE MURIEL BURKE

With heavy hearts, we announce that Jackie Burke passed away peacefully on October 14, 2020 at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg at the age of 88.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years William; children Mark (Teresa); grandchildren Michaela (Matthew) and Tazia (Joshua); and brother Roly Nadeau.

Jackie was born in Montreal to Oscar Nadeau and Agathe Guitard.  Agathe unfortunately passed away from complications in childbirth, and Oscar later married her good friend Jean Le Blanc.  Jackie grew up in Timmins, Ontario, later moving south to start working.  Jackie married her first husband, Keith, in 1953 and the Wickens family remained lifelong friends.  She met Bill in Toronto and they were married there in 1968, and celebrated the birth of their son, Mark, in 1970.

Jackie’s life could be described as a whirlwind adventure!  She once counted her many moves and homes around the world and clocked in at about 60.  Bill and Jackie lived in Ontario, Canada for many years; Tanzania, Africa for four years; over sixteen years in Saudi Arabia; and finally settled in Winnipeg, Canada to be close to their family.  Bill and Jackie travelled to dozens of countries, and Jackie never tired of meeting new people and experiencing different places and cultures.

Relationships were the most important thing for Jackie, and once her friend, you were a friend for life.  She loved to entertain, and her dinners and events always exhibited her unique style in everything from delicious food to elegant presentation.  Her energy and creativity were evident in every area of her life.  During her time in Saudi, she painted hundreds of watercolours that are now in homes all over the world, including the Saudi royal family.  She loved to paint to the music of Willie Nelson.  She was an avid quilter and was always a willing teacher and mentor of the arts to colleagues, friends, and family.  Jackie was always eager to share her stories and experiences, and she was equally at ease striking up a conversation with a stranger next to her as she was with an old friend.

Jackie’s faith in Jesus Christ was also especially important to her and brought her great comfort.  She had many years of church involvement at Mississauga City Baptist Church, and Grant Memorial Church in Winnipeg.

Jackie was a lifelong learner and was always an eager participant in conversation regardless of the topic.  She loved learning new things whether it was a new game, a scientific discovery, or a fact about technology, history, or geography.  She had a photographic memory for things she learned on TV, which we affectionately referred to as “Jack-Facts”.  Jackie was also an avid movie buff.  It didn’t matter if it was Ben Hur or Mad Max, she was a fan.  She was also a dedicated chronicler of her travels and life events creating countless scrapbooks, albums, and diaries.

Above all, Jackie was a devoted wife, mom, and grandma.  She loved her family dearly, and never tired of visits and card games with Mark and Teresa or time spent with Michaela and Tazia sharing stories, watching movies, or teaching them drawing and sewing.  Bill and Jackie were co-adventurers, sharing love and faith.  She never stopped being thankful for Bill’s dedication to her and all her hobbies and schemes.

Jackie will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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