Obituaries
Dr. Barbara A. Burke, 88
June 12, 2025
Dr. Barbara A. Burke, 88, passed away at her Lancaster, PA residence on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Formerly of Boston, MA, she would have marked 68 years of marriage with her husband Arthur M. Burke on June 29th.
She was born in Boston, daughter of the late John and Adeline (Pettiti) Yunits. Barbara earned her bachelor’s degree from Regius College and her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts.
For over 20 years Dr. Burke was the Chief Probation Officer for Charlestown District Court in Boston, retiring at age 72. Previously, she worked as a psychologist, social worker at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and as a private duty LPN.
Barbara was a talented artist and operated a side business making custom Christmas cards and decorations. She also taught several subjects at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
She was a parishioner at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Lancaster.
In addition to her loving husband Arthur, Barbara’s family includes their son, Timothy Burke, husband of Karen of Mountville, PA, daughter, Linda, wife of Joseph Sullivan, Sr. of Lititz, PA, and five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and three sisters.
Services will be private.
Kindly consider a contribution in Barbara’s names to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
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Condolences to the Family
July 04, 2025
I am very sorry to hear about Barbara’ s passing! I have thought about her many times over the past few years as she was my ‘Chief’ at Charlestown District Court. She spoke of her family all the time and their fun trips to NYC and Hershey PA. She was a woman ‘ before her time’ and I will cherish all the memories and laughs we had….she was really good to me and I will always remember the good times. She is watching over all of us now!!
You are all in my prayers.🙏
June 18, 2025
I am very sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. As a police officer in the Boston Schools I interacted with Barbara on many an occasion and always found her to be a very caring professional .Please except my sincere condolences.
John coleman
