BRIDGTON – Irene Hansen Burke, 94, passed away July 26, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. She was diagnosed with cancer in March and chose to stay at home with love, comfort, and peace until her last breath. Irene always said that she was lucky.

She was born in Falmouth Oct. 14, 1927, and was the daughter of Ester and Osborn Hansen, predeceased. Irene grew up in Falmouth and graduated from Falmouth High School in 1946.

Irene lived at the YWCA in her later teens until she began her job at Valley’s Steak House as a waitress. She soon joined New England Telephone company as a typist. She transferred to working in other divisions of the company. In 1979 she became an installer, then transferred to a pole climber until she retired in 1990 at the age of 62. Irene was one of the first female pole climbers in the USA.

Irene moved to Naples with her sons in 1971 and built a new home on Long Lake where they resided until she moved to Bridgton in 2009 with her son, Kelvin “Tux” and his wife, Billi Lynn Burke.

Within the years of working for the phone company she married Martin Burke in 1949 and divorced in 1966. They had four children, Eric V. Burke, Janine L. Burke, Wayne Burke, and Kelvin “Tux” Burke.

Over the years Irene was involved in the political arena raising funds for her chosen candidates. Irene learned to ski at 35 and her travels began. She traveled abroad to ski with her Downeast Ski Club, traveling to Zermatt, Switzerland. She a was member of the of the Naples Legion Post #55, The Naples’ Grange and the Naples Garden Club until 2005.

Her hobbies were skiing and flowers. Irene was ambitious and hard working. She worked hard and played hard. She attended the 1980 Olympics witnessing the USA Men’s hockey team earn Gold. Irene was a Pioneer of the Downeast Ski Club. She LOVED a sip of a good Budweiser.

Surviving are two sons, Wayne Burke of Naples and Kal “Tux” Burke and his wife, Billi Lynn, of Bridgton and their three children, Keegan S.P. Burke of San Diego, Calif. (his children, Mason Burke, Jaxson Burke, and Bentley Burke); Adora B. Graves and her husband, Eddie of Windham, N.H. (their children, Burklynn Graves and Sylvie Graves); and Kamden G.W. Burke of Bridgton (his daughter, Avery Burke); brothers Hans Hansen and his wife, Elizabeth and Elwin Hansen and wife, Jean.

She was predeceased by two children, Eric V. Burke in 2017 and Janine L. Burke in 2012; grandson, Todd E. Burke in 1996.

A private graveside ceremony will be held for the family. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Rd. in Casco. Condolences and tributes may be shared with Irene’s family at http://www.hallfuneralhome.net

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