Angela Jean Burke

Petersburgh – Angela Jean Burke, 26, a former resident of Petersburgh, NY, died after being struck by a drunk driver in Portland, OR, while walking her bicycle in the bike lane on her way home from work on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.
Born March 8, 1984, in Silver Spring, MD, she was the daughter of Michael J. Burke and Linda Santoro and step-daughter of Athena Burke. She graduated from Berlin High School, Class of 2002. She continued her education and graduated in 2009 from SUNY Albany with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology.
This past summer Angie gathered all her courage and her adventurous spirit and moved to the west coast. She and a friend went on a well-planned cross-country trip with everything they owned packed into her VW Bug with Portland as the destination. They brought camping gear and visited many spots in the country including the Grand Canyon.  They arrived in Portland in August. Angie was working two jobs and planning to go to graduate school.
Angie was wise beyond her years, creative, a great friend with a brilliant sense of humor.  She always rooted for the underdog. She had a strong sense of values, and she thought deeply about social issues and the environment. She loved children and was an especially devoted sister. Everyone who met her loved her; she had a gentle radiance.
Survivors include her father, Michael Burke, and her step-mother, Athena Burke, of Cambridge, NY, her mother, Linda Santoro of Suffern, NY, four siblings, Antoinette Burke of Philadelphia, PA, Christopher and Sarah Burke of Cambridge and Christine Catania of Bangor, PA, her paternal grandparents, Florence and Richard Burke of Maryland, her maternal grandmother, Rita Jarose of New Jersey, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends and family were invited to call on Wednesday, December 22, from 4 to 7 pm at the Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, 73 West Main Street, Cambridge. Callers were invited to place a special note or treasure with Angie if so inspired.
A celebration of Angie’s life was held at the funeral home on Thursday, December 23, at 11 am. Burial followed at Meadowlawn Cemetery in Petersburgh.
There was a vigil in Portland for Angela on Monday, December 20.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 230 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. (www.bbbs.org)
Please visit www.ackleyrossfuneralhome.com to share a memory or send a condolence.
Angie was a strong, beautiful young woman, whose light, even after death, will continue to shine.