LOWVILLE - Florence Bickford Burke, 84, passed away peacefully at her home under the loving care of her family and Lewis County Hospice on Sunday November 26, 2017 .

Florence was born on July 26, 1933 in West Lowville , daughter of the late John Henry and Mary Ellen (Castle) Bickford. Beloved wife of husband Richard E. Burke and devoted mother of two sons, two daughters and one son-in-law; Michael J. Burke of Ft. Edward ; Andrew F. Burke of Elkridge, MD; Kathleen (Burke) Barker of Ft. Edward; Susan Burke (Eric) Stamber of Springfield, VA.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Kimberly Barker Marsit; Antoinette Burke; Christopher Burke; Sarah Burke; Richard J. Burke; Theresa Burke; and Katie Burke; six great-grandchildren, Jacob Richard; Julia Marsit; Jenna Marsit; Jericha Burke; Jalen Burke; and Harper Rothauer.

In addition to her parents, Florence was predeceased by her brother, Charles Henry Bickford, a line supervisor for United Airlines in San Francisco and also her dearly beloved granddaughter, Angela Burke of Portland , OR .

She graduated with the Lowville Academy class of 1950 where she actively participated in a wide variety of student activities and sports, including cheerleadering, playacting, and helping to produce the school newspaper to name just a few. She then went to Syracuse 's Central City Business Institute completing its course of study in 1951 and became Secretary of the Lewis County 4-H Bureau where she worked until her marriage to Richard Burke on August 22nd, 1953 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Lowville with retired Msgr. John A. Cotter officiating. While with the 4-H family, she was also a counselor at the 4-H Camp Wabasso; Redwood, New York .

Florence and Richard, a U.S. Navy Communications Technician, then lived in Takoma Park , Maryland while Richard was assigned to Naval Security Group headquarters in Washington D.C. Following this assignment they lived at Pearl Harbor T.H. where he completed his four-year Navy tour of duty. In 1955 both Florence and Richard pursued civilian careers, she in marketing and retail with Sears and Roebuck, Montgomery Wards, and Ames ; while he began a 33-year with the National Security Agency at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland .

Florence was active throughout these years in Maryland , beginning with the four childrens' social and sports venues. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, participated in various Girl Scout activities, such as running the troup's Cookie campaign seve r al times, and within St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Silver Spring, MD. The Churc h Ladies' Bowl in g League elected Florence their President. This was long before her eventual conversion to Catholicism at Lowville by Reveren t Father Timothy Souci.

Since 2002, Florence has been a membe r of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, William Floyd Chapter, Boonville , NY . She is descended from Revolutionary patriot John Bickford the Fifth, who was a signer of the New Hampshire Association Test dated April 1776, which preceded our new Nation's signing of its Declaration of Independence by three months. Just 26 years later, his son Levi Bickford was among the earliest settlers to explore and relocate their families within sparsely settled Lewis County . He purchased a large tract of West Lowvil l e acres by Deed signed by Nicholas Lowe, wh i ch is where Flo r ence was lovingly raised by John Bickford the ninth and Mary Castle Bickford. Levi also donated land for the West Lowville Rural Cemetery .

In 2003, Florence was inducted into the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. She is directly related to William Bradford, a key organizer and leader of that historic journey who served as Plymouth Colony's Governor for 20 years and was the principal chronicler of the Pilgrims' lives and fortunes good or bad.

Florence remained a talented and avid gardener throughout her life . She lived a full and joyful life and was a loving daughter, sister , c l assmate, wife, mother, g r andmother, great grandmother, and a devoted friend to all who came to know and love her. She will be dearly missed but will live in our hearts forever.

A funeral mass will be said on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Peter's Catholic Church with Rev. Jay Seymour, Pastor officiating with her burial following at the West Lowville Rural Cemetery. Calling hours for family and friends will be at the Sundquist Funeral Home on Wednesday 29th from 5:00 to 7:00P.M. Online condolences may be shared at: www.sundquistfh.com

Memorial contributions in Florence 's name may be made to: the American Cancer Society, the West Lowville Rural Cemetery , Lewis County Hospice, or a charity of your choice.