Obituary of Dacia J. Burke

Dacia Joan Shannon Burke, of Clifton Park, passed away at home on April 23, 2017. Born on July 13, 1952 in Troy, she was the third child of the late John Francis Shannon, Jr. & Joan Cecilia Van Antwerp Shannon Jacobs. She was predeceased by her stepfather Philip A. Jacobs, infant brothers Michael & Patrick, sister Kathleen “Kandy” Shannon & nephew Joshua P. Smith.

Raised in Troy, she was educated at the Kenwood Academy in Albany. In the 1970’s she married and raised two sons in Birmingham, Michigan: Denis Robert Burke of Canton, Michigan and Michael Shannon Burke of Brockport, Pennsylvania. She worked for years as a court reporter. Later, after returning to the Capital Region, she had a second career in insurance.

In addition to her sons, she is survived by her daughter-in-law Amy Garey Burke, granddaughter Aubrey “Pumpkin Pie” Burke (who was her favorite person & topic of conversation), brothers John, George, Eugene & Kevin (Carolyn) Shannon, and sisters Mary “Polly” (Louie) Smith, Frances (Wally) Akstull, Cynthia “Cindy” Haegele & Kelly Shannon. She also leaves behind many nieces & nephews, maternal aunts Dacia Denton & Agnes Van Antwerp, maternal uncles Daniel & George Van Antwerp, and uncountable cousins, friends and neighbors.

She loved dogs, cooking, crossword puzzles and anything Irish. Firm in her beliefs and stubborn in her outlook, she was a patriotic American, supportive of veterans and vocal in her belief that Clifton Park has too many hotels and red lights.

A gathering will be held on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, with a memorial service at 12 noon at the Catricala Funeral Home Inc., 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park.

Persons wishing to make a memorial donation in her honor are encouraged to contribute to Wounded Warrior Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or a local animal shelter.