Lucille Ober-Burke

Lucille Lavin Ober-Burke, 92, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Lucille was born July 10, 1922 at 490 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan, New York City to parents Peter Edward Lavin and Delia Katherine O’Flaherty, both of Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Mary, Peter, Kathleen, Peggy, and Andrew; infant children Marie, Joseph, and Matthew; her first husband, Charles Donnadieu Ober and second husband, James K. Burke. She is survived by her five children Charles Ober (Benedicto) of Queens, NY, Peter Ober (Angela) of Fredericksburg, VA, Andrew Ober (Tan) of Silver Spring, MD, Elizabeth Ober of Summitville, NY, and Cecelia Ober O’Lor (Eric) of Ann Arbor; seven grandchildren Betty Ann, Daniel, Sean, Patrick, Matthew, Caitlin, and Sage; one great-granddaughter Madison; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Lucille grew up in the Irish immigrant upper west side of Manhattan. Her fondest childhood memories include playing “house” on the boulders of Central Park, walking to the Museum of Natural History to enjoy the dioramas, frequenting Rockaway Beach, and summering with close family friends in the Catskills.

Lucille graduated from Bellevue School of Nursing in 1944 and worked as a Registered Nurse for 40 years before retirement. Lucille trained several generations of nurses at Nassau Hospital, Mineola, NY and was admired and recognized by her colleagues as “one of the best” and a “terrific” nurse.

Lucille moved to a Levitt home in Hicksville, NY in 1950, where she raised her family. She and her husband, Charlie, retired to their beloved self-built Catskill Mountain cabin home in 1985. After his death, Lucille found happiness with a friend from childhood, her second husband, Jimmy Burke. She wintered in Ft Myers, FL after retirement, always returning each year to her heart’s true home in the Catskills.

Lucille was the family historian and photographer. Her memory was so sharp she could recount the birthdays of nearly all of her extended family and friends as well as their children and grandchildren, all of whom could expect a greeting card. She is noted for her faithful friendship. She was the glue that kept a large network of friends and family connected and informed.

Visiting will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015, from 11am-1pm at HB Humiston Funeral Home, 30 42nd St., Kerhonkson, NY. A Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 6078 Rte. 209, Kerhonkson, NY is scheduled at 1:30pm. Burial will follow at Pine Bush Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Ulster County Home Delivered Meals Program.