Berwick, NS
January 15, 2024
Ruth Marleine "Sue" Burke, age 85, of Berwick, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, in Grand View Manor, Berwick.
Sue was born in Timmins, ON and was a daughter of the late Henry and Leila (Pitt) Welin.
She worked as a medic in the Royal Canadian Air Force before becoming an insurance agent. She worked at Cleveland Insurance and loved the Cleveland family. Sue began her involvement in the sport of figure skating at an early age in Timmons, ON. She eventually moved to Greenwood with her husband, Sonny, and children, Christopher and Kelly.
Following membership in the Wolfville Skating Club, she then became a founding member and the first President of the Greenwood Skating Club. It wasn’t long before she was the Valley Area Coordinator where, among other activities, she introduced both skaters and judges to development programs.
As a member of the Nova Scotia Section Board of Directors, she served as Awards Chair, Skater Development Chair and was the Sections First Precision Chair. She also found herself sitting on both the Section’s Competitions and Judges Committees. She became Section Chair in 1978. Sue evaluated tests at the Junior Silver Free Skate and Dance levels as well as the Bronze/Adult Artistic level and judged at the Novice competitive level. However, she developed a wonderful aptitude and true love for the discipline of Precision skating, now known as Synchronized skating.
Sue was a Gold level test Evaluator and Canadian Competitive level Synchronized skating judge and her enthusiasm in this area greatly influenced its growth throughout Nova Scotia. She was the recipient of the Sport Nova Scotia Award in 1982 and the Elizabeth Swan Award in 2000.
She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Kelly (Doug) Bodie; son, Christopher; grandchildren, Kaila and Steven; brothers, Eric (Margie) and Brian; several nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Stanley "Sonny" in 2022; sister, Diane and brother, Dwight.
Cremation has taken place and in keeping with Sue’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Donations in memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.
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