Dorothy Burke

Northampton, MA – Dorothy (Dottie) Delisle Burke passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, September 7, 2026. Dottie was born on June 7, 1937, in Northampton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Ernest Ashley and Rachel (Watts) Delisle of Westhampton. Dottie was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of nearly seven decades, Robert (Bob) Burke, their daughter, Debora Burke-Dykstra in 1980 of Cystic Fibrosis, and their son-in-law, Terry Dykstra. Dottie leaves behind her cherished sister, Barbara (Delisle) Newsheller of Farmington, Connecticut, Bob's brother-in-law, Norman Berkowitz of Walpole, Massachusetts, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom were her pride and joy. Dottie graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Business Management and enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career at Polaroid Corporation where she rose from an entry level clerical position to become the company's senior education & training specialist. In this role, Dottie designed and led workshops that benefitted thousands of Polaroid employees and members of the corporate leadership team. During her retirement, Dottie was a crafter who made items for her church fair and for friends and family members. She was an avid beader, donating much of her jewelry to local charities. Dottie loved gardening and baking. She was a former president of the 64 South Street Condominium Association; and she served her Westhampton Congregational Church as historian, launching a program called the Preservation Project in order to have old church documents digitized by the University of Massachusetts. Dottie volunteered with Bright Spot Dog Therapy along with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. In her younger years, she was a past president of the Waltham League of Women Voters. A celebration of life service will be held Monday, September 28, at the Westhampton Congregational Church, 1 Tob Road, Westhampton, at 10 AM. Donations in memory of Dottie may be made to the Westhampton Congregational Church UCC Endowment Fund, 1 Tob Road, Westhampton, MA, 01027, or to Cavalier Rescue USA ( https://www.cavalierrescueusa.org/donate/ ). Mitchell Funeral is handling the arrangements.

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