Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Margaret A. Burke (McGuinness), fondly known as “Nan” to family and friends, age 81, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025, with her family at her side.
Nan was born on July 21, 1943, in Garrison, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland; she was the dear daughter of the late John and Mary (Carroll) McGuinness. Nan was raised and educated in a large and loving Irish Catholic family and was one of ten siblings.
Nan immigrated to the United States in May of 1965 and settled in the Boston area. She met a handsome young man John “Jackie” Burke; the couple were soon inseparable and married on October 14, 1968.
Nan and Jackie moved to Wilmington in 1969 where they raised their daughter Carroll who was their pride and joy. Nan was a devoted wife and mother; she loved her home, and her door was always open to family and friends. Nan was an amazing cook who loved to entertain and have her house full of family and friends. Nan’s world became even more enriched when she welcomed her son-in-law Jeff and when she became a grandmother or “Meme” as she was affectionately known to her grandchildren Jack and Josie she was thrilled.
Although, Nan, made a wonderful life in America she looked forward to travelling home to Ireland to visit with family and friends and catch up on their lives.
Nan will be fondly remembered as a talented lady who loved to sew and create beautiful gifts for others, and she loved to dance every chance she got. Nan was outgoing and friendly towards everyone she met and loved her family and friends with all her heart. She will forever live on in their hearts and the memories they created.
Nan was the devoted wife of John “Jackie” Burke, devoted mother of Carroll Quinn and her husband Jeff, loving Meme of Jack and Josie Quinn all of Wilmington. Dear sister Mary Griffin, Sarah Kechejian, Alice Sefton, Veronica Swift, Peter McGuinness, Aidan McGuinness, Geraldine Higgins, the late John McGuinness and the late Oliver McGuinness. She is further survived by many special nieces, nephews, and their families.
Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Thursday, July 10th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. All are welcome to gather at the Funeral Home for a Service on Friday, July 11th at 10:00 a.m. and will conclude with her interment in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.
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