Carolyn K. Burke

Surrounded by her loving family, Carolyn K. Burke, 58, formerly of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at her sister’s home in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

The fifth of six children, Carolyn was born September 17, 1962, in Independence, Iowa, to Thomas A. Jr. and Sarah “Sally” Horn Burke.  The Burke family moved to Jackson in 1973.  Carolyn was a 1981 graduate of Jackson High School.

Carolyn decided on her career path after winning a St. Louis Post Dispatch baking contest at the age of 13.  This proved to be one of the many awards she would receive over the next 38 years.  After high school, she graduated from Johnson and Wales College of Culinary Arts and began working in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.  She then worked in San Francisco, which was one of her favorite cities to live.  To expand her skills, Carolyn learned to create beautiful ice sculptures at the Plaza III Restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri, as well as chocolate carvings at the Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, Tennessee.  She enjoyed learning the art of French cuisine as a Sous Chef in New Orleans, Louisiana, and she brought that expertise to Chez Louie Gourmet Restaurant in St. Louis.  Carolyn took a four-year hiatus from her profession to care for her mother in their family home.  Later, she worked at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau, as the Food and Beverage Director.  She ended her career with the Russo family in St. Louis, as an event planner.

She was a longtime faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, where she was active in prayer groups and St. Ann’s Sodality.  She was also a proud member of P.E.O. Chapters LA in Jackson and MG in Creve Coeur. 

Loving survivors include a daughter, Regan (Ben) of San Francisco, California; three siblings, Tom (Gail) Burke III of St. Charles, Mary (Ron) Borgschulte of Creve Coeur, Missouri, and Paula Waller of Jackson; and five nephews and nieces: Claire (Nathan) Wallace; Ryan Borgschulte, Tommy Canovan, Karissa and Katie Waller.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, John Joseph Burke, and a sister, Sarah Lee Canovan.

Memorial visitation is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 24, 2020, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Father Randy Tochtrop, Deacon Tom Burke, and Deacon Walter Biri will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson.  Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 4207 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108; the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, 2536 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; or St. Vincent De Paul Society, 66 Progress West Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63143.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the TRIBUTE WALL tab of Carolyn’s personal obituary page at mccombsfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carolyn K. Burke, please visit our floral store.