Joanne Deutsch Burke, loving daughter, wife and mother, passed away peacefully with most of her children by her beside on June 26, 2026 in the Forest City Nursing Home where she had been a resident for the past six years. Joanne was born on March 1, 1934 in the depth of the depression, the second child of Alice and Ernest Deutsch. Her parents and brother Ernie (Joan) pre-deceased her, as well as her husband, John Francis Burke and grandson Sean Burke.

Joanne is survived by her 11 children, Judy (Ron) Andidora, George (Judy) Burke, Kathleen (Clyde) Sikorski, Thomas Burke, Edward (Jenny) Burke, Ann (John) Sweeney, Mary Burke, Joseph (Roberta) Burke, Patricia Herrin, Pamela (Bill) Thomas, and Bill (Tammy) Burke, 22 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Joanne had a difficult start in life as her father deserted her mother when she was 2 and her brother was 4. The family moved in with her maternal grandparents and remained with them through their high school graduation. Joanne met the love of her life, John Burke, at age 14 and married him at age 18 after graduating from Benjamin Franklin High School in Carbondale, PA. John was 8 years older than her and a WWII Navy veteran. Like many young men in that era, he went to California for a job after their engagement in December 1951 and when they married in August of 1952, they moved there immediately. The following year their first child arrived in June. Living so far from home with a rapidly growing family and no support, Joanne never adjusted to being away from her family in PA, so they move back to Carbondale in 1961. In March of 1962, she and John welcomed their 6th child, and so it went until 1972 with a total of 11 children. Three years after her last baby was born, Joanne was blessed with her first grandchild. It is no exaggeration to say that children were her life! This was especially challenging after she lost her husband at age 48 with five children still at home and one in college. But Joanne bravely raised her remaining children alone and continued to care for her disabled daughter, Mary, until the onset of dementia. She and Mary then moved into her youngest daughter Pam’s home. When COVID stuck, she fought through that, but landed in the nursing home due to her weakened condition and lack of mobility. Joanne’s children, especially Pam, oversaw her well-being and made sure her last years were comfortable.

The family expresses its profound gratitude to the dedicated staff of the Forest City Nursing Home who gave excellent care to Joanne and treated her like family.

She was an amazing woman who leaves behind a legacy of love touching many lives.

Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

Blessing Service will be private and at the Convenience of the family. Friends may call at Anthony P. Litwin Jr. Funeral Homes, Inc.33 Reynolds Street Factoryville on Sunday July 5, 2026 from 6 to 8pm. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre.