Plan for the Future
Augusta H. Burke, devoted grandmother and mother, died September 23rd, 19 years to the day she lost her husband, Paul J. Burke.
Augusta, daughter of Augusta Tiefenbronner and Frank J. Heinzmann was born November 24th, 1926 in West New York, NJ the oldest of five siblings. Education meant the world to her, and she was a devoted alumnae of the Academy of Holy Angels and the College of Mount Saint Vincents (Class of ‘48). Not only did she graduate college during a period where it was less common for women to do so, Augusta was also a proud collegiate basketball player. Additionally, she received a Masters in Education from New York University in 1953. Her passion for teaching extended throughout her life, including teaching nursing at both the College of Mount Saint Vincent (with her sister Joan, one of her early students) and Rutgers, as well as tutoring reading to young St. Patrick’s School students for years.
Saint Patrick’s held a special place in her heart not only for the community, but also as a place to celebrate her strong faith. She was an active parishioner, including serving as a lector, participating in the Shawl Ministry and the Legion of Mary.
Augusta’s interests were many, including travel to Europe (crossing the Atlantic several times by boat before air travel became common) as well as knitting. Bridge was a constant throughout her life, and she was always disappointed and surprised that none of her children or grandchildren picked up this passion. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she spent many hours on sidelines supporting their athletic endeavors and took enormous pride in all their accomplishments, academic and otherwise.
She is survived by her children: Marybeth Leithead of Chatham (husband Ed), Patrick Burke (wife Mary) of Westfield, Paul Burke (husband Michael Scheutzow) of Parsippany and Barbara Powers (husband Joe) of Chatham as well as grandchildren Teddy and Annie Leithead, Sally and Maggie Burke, and Jack, Tess, Chip and Grace Powers. Her siblings Francis, Robert and Joseph Heinzmann predeceased her and she is survived by her sister Joan Inzerillo of Madison.
A visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Church, 85 Washington Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the College of Mount Saint Vincent Annual Fund. Please visit mount saint Vincent.edu/giving to make a gift online or mail a check made out to College of Mount Saint Vincent and mail it to: College of Mount Saint Vincent, 6301 Riverdale Avenue, Riverdale, NY 10471; attn: Annual Giving.
