Donaleen G. Burke

Donaleen G. Burke, also known as “Donna” by her friends, age 84 years, passed away suddenly on April 1, 2021 at Manor Care Kingston Court, York PA, of a heart attack. She was the loving wife of Richard C. Burke, who passed away on December 12, 2012. Born an only child in Red Lion, PA to the late Ernest L. and Helen E. (McClane) Gohn. She graduated from Red Lion High School in 1954. She worked for Midway Superthrift in Dallstown for 26 years. She also worked part-time for Bon Ton Queensgate Department Stores. She is survived by one daughter, Kitty L. Burke Heidlebaugh, with whom she lived from 2009 until her stroke in March of 2020. Upon release from York Hospital on March 13, 2020, she was transferred to Manor Care Kingston Court during the initial outbreak of Covid.She never fully understood the pandemic for the devastating event it is. Sheltered in the nursing facility, she only knew what “was” and could not imagine the “new normal”. Surviving are her son-in-law, Donald E. Hines, along with 5 precious grandchildren; Lindi Heidlebaugh, Abbey LeCompte (Kenny), Meigan N. Warner, Brienna K. Mundy (Todd) and Kanen J .Dill. She also has eight great grandchildren who she dearly adored and loved spending time with; Seth M. Heidelbaugh (Amanda Bitters) , Daylon A. Gohn, Donavan A. Gohn, Leeann Warner , Taylor M. Mundy, Katelin C. LeCompte and Kilby J. LeCompte. She was pre-deceased by her youngest daughter, Kari L. Burke, on September 13, 1997. She was a former member of St. Paul’s United Methodist on First Avenue, Red Lion, PA, yet transferred her membership to Grace United Methodist Church on Plank Road after moving to New Freedom. There she met so many wonderful people who loved her and in no time she found a new “family”. It was also there that she chose to renew her Baptism Vows by Immersion and grew even closer to her Lord and Savior and her Grace Family. Donaleen was a cancer survivor, yet dementia and kidney disease began to take its toll. She passed into the arms of Jesus seamlessly and with no suffering. We are still trying to comprehend how quickly she left us, yet we know she is safe in Heaven, reunited with the love of her life, Dick, her daughter, Kari, and her parents, Ernest and Helen Gohn. The lesson left with us on April 1, 2021, is when you have that thought to reach out to someone or the feeling you should call or visit, do it.Anything else can truly wait for in the span of 2 hours, Mom left us on a day she looked healthier than she had in years. Her memory was crystal clear and her conversation was lively and fun. Dementia may have stolen her later years, yet deep down inside, she remained the Mom I knew and loved, the Grandma and Meemaw the kids delighted in and the friend who was never too busy to reach out to help. We love you Mom, will never forget you, nor will we stop telling stories and sharing the fun memories made with you and Dad. We want to thank the staff at Manor Care Kingston Court for their vigilant care and love for her during her stay there. Many who were strangers, quickly became Mom’s new friends as the lock down kept her from seeing those she dearly loved. A visitation will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 473 Plank Road, New Freedom, PAfrom 9:00 to 11:00 am, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life Service on April 24th, 2020 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her memory to Grace United Methodist Church.