Phyllis Leota Burke

Phyllis Leota Burke, née Gates, was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a registered nurse. She held a special place in the hearts of many over the course of her life and will be forever remembered for both her sense of caring and her sense of humor. Phyllis passed away peacefully on the evening of May 16th in Orange Park, Florida, at the age of 95.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Donna L. Burke-Fonda and Debi McKale; their husbands, John and Mark; her grandchildren, Brian McCarter, Gwen McCarter Nagle, and Sean McKale; and her two great-granddaughters, Georgia McCarter and Annika Nagle. Her cherished husband of almost 60 years, Phil Burke, passed on in 2016.

Born on February 27, 1925, to parents James Arthur and Katherine Froggatt Gates in Worcester, Massachusetts, Phyllis was a strong sister among beloved brothers—James, Jr. (“Jimmy”), David, and Donald. She was the last remaining member of her sibling group and leaves behind an extended family she adored seeing at reunions.

An adventurer at heart, Phyllis had a zest for life that was unrivaled. Her career as a registered nurse gave her a way to satisfy not just her love of learning and of helping others, but also her desire to see the world.

She began down that path when in 1949, she graduated from Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester. In recognition of her performance, she received an award for being the most outstanding undergraduate nurse “in theory, practice, and social contribution to the School of Nursing.” After briefly working as a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami, Florida, she returned to her home town to work at Memorial Hospital for three years.

In October, 1953, Phyllis entered active duty service in the U.S. Army and began training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. She would go on to serve for approximately two years and ended her career with the rank of First Lieutenant. One of her Army years was spent on the Japanese island of Okinawa, and she later received the National Defense Service Medal. It was during her time in Okinawa that she would meet her future husband, Ezra Philip (“Phil”) Burke, a veteran of WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and a Sergeant First Class.

Phyllis and Phil were married on June 18, 1956, in Philadelphia, Mississippi. The couple with thick New England and Southern accents began their life together in Georgia when Phil became stationed at Fort Stewart. Their daughters Donna and Debi were born there in Hinesville, and Phyllis worked as an RN at Liberty County Hospital until the family relocated for another new Army posting. There would be several such moves over the years, which led Phyllis to serve as an RN at Tripler Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii; Fort Hood Hospital in Kilean, Texas; and finally at the Naval Hospital in Orlando, Florida, beginning in 1968.

After retiring in the mid-1980s with over 30 years of service, Phyllis hung up her nurse’s hat and worked in Orlando as a licensed real estate agent. For many years, she helped run the 21st RCT Association (Japan/Korea) and enjoyed organizing reunion after reunion with Phil.

In her golden years, Phyllis enjoyed looking out over the sparkling lake that sat behind the house she and Phil shared, visiting friends, taking her grandchildren on countless memorable outings around central Florida, tinkering with a computer before anyone else had one, eating as many fried whole belly clams as possible, winning at bingo, poker and bridge, and keeping in close touch with her extended family. From 2001 until recently, she lived in Montclair, Virginia, with Donna and her family, and in Orange Park and Sampson Lake, with and alongside Debi and her family.

No matter the situation, Phyllis could be counted on for a laugh or a story. In her personal life, she made everyone feel welcome, loved, and valued. As an RN, she was someone others looked up to and respected, someone who could be counted on to help. She kept everyone in line, but she did it with a smile. She will be missed greatly.

Funeral to be held at Arlington National Cemetery, date will be provided when scheduled.