Mary Lou Burke

BURKE, MARY LOU (“ML”, “SASS”) (Jacobson), THE LEGEND of Norwood passed away on April 28, 2025 at the age of 89. Devoted mother of Elizabeth Burke of Wareham, Marie Dolan and her husband Robert of Smithfield, RI, Theresa Burke and her husband Mark Lee of Taunton, John Burke and his wife Marilyn of Plainville and the late Dennis Burke. Daughter of the late Alvin and Catherine (Carbone) Jacobson. Cherished grandmother of Adrian Dugre, Julie Dolan, Marissa Burke and the late Janine Burke.
ML was a true legend; she broke all the norms of her time. She was strong, bold, and a true friend to many. ML’s last few weeks were spent with her daughter, Theresa, Son in law Mark, and the Family cats Patrick and Mikey. She was surrounded with her favorite things and passed to heaven very peacefully.
She had MANY adopted kid’s whether at work or in the neighborhood. ML made every minute of life meaningful. ML touched the lives of thousands. ML loved her work, during the 70’s worked as a waitress in a few Norwood coffee establishments during the day, then leaving to work in Boston at one of the first INSIDE GOLF ranges.
During the 80’s she then spent over 23 years at the Dedham Country and Polo Club, where she flourished and spent many wonderful hours with her colleagues and the members.
Through out her time in Norwood, and the DCPC, she cherished her friendships, working with her best friend for over 50 years, Helen Keady. After the DCPC, she was the hostess at the Irish Ale House in Dedham MA. There, ML made many new friends, and friends of old, would go to the restaurant just to see her for a dose of her jokes and colorful conversation. Special mention to her “Eversource” friends and the many Priests and the Noble and Greenough families who would come in to visit with her.
ML lived at the Nassau Gardens in Norwood, there she also had wonderful friendships and had many hours at the pool with her “pool buddies”.
ML developed many law enforcement friendships ML had many police officer friends from Norwood, Dedham, Westwood, and with officers from the Mass State Police.
ML was recognized by William Delahunt’s office in 1978 for her help in an investigation and also by the Major Regan Scholarship fund for all her support in gathering donations for the fund.
ML was an avid golfer; she played many rounds of golf at Ponkapoag in Canton MA with her golf buddies who were all very special to her. ML won the 1989 Johnson Cup and placed in many other events. ML cherished the many golf trips with her friends to Hawaii, Bermuda, and Florida.
Our many thanks to those who touched her life and for those she helped along the way. The cards, letters, pictures and notes we have found from across the world show the love and appreciation for ML over many years of support. We also want to thank the team at the “Pathways” hospice care, with very special thanks to our wonderful homecare nurse Margaret.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 4-8pm at the Kraw Kornack Funeral Home 1248 Washington St. Norwood, MA 02062. A Funeral Home service will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 10am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the MSPCA or your favorite animal shelter.