Irene J. (Vanasse) Burke, a resident of Woburn for 55 years, passed away on August 4, 2017. She was 87 years of age.

Irene was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on August 13, 1929 the daughter of the late Omer C. and Mary A. (Herbert) Vanasse. Irene enjoyed shopping and will be remembered as a frequent shopper on QVC. Her family was first and foremost in her life.

She was the beloved wife of the late Paul J. Burke. Devoted mother of Paul J. Burke, Jr and his wife Toni of Methuen, Nancy A. Burke of Alameda, CA, Joanne M. Bemis and her husband Rick of Burlington and James M. Burke and his wife Susan J. Cutelis of Dracut. Loving grandmother of Ashlee, Victoria, Stefania, Kelly, Brian and Alex. Cherished sister of the late Theresa Degou.

Her funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) in Reading on Thursday, August 10 at 8:45AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Charles Borromeo Church 280 Main St. Woburn at 10:00AM. Burial will follow in Wood Brook Cemetery, Woburn. Funeral home visiting hours will be held Wednesday evening from 5:00-8:00PM.

For those who wish contributions may be made in Irene's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105.