Obituary of Anna O'Rourke

Anna E. O’Rourke’s life ended just as it started 85 years ago, in her home in Burlington. Anna was born in the family home in the Winnmere section of Burlington in 1925. She was the daughter of Irish immigrants, the late Joseph and Mary McGloin. She grew up in the farming town and was in one of the first classes of Burlington High School and played on the girls Basketball team. She married and had 6 children. She overcame the death of her husband at age 49. She took on the role of provider as well as mother. She worked extremely hard to provide for her family and give them opportunities which she did not have as a child. She worked at the New England Rehabilitation Center until she retired in 1987. After years of hard work and saving, she made the most of her retirement years. She made yearly trips to Irelands to visit her family. She took trips all around the world, bringing home mementos, keepsakes, and treasures. She had a strong Catholic faith. She was a faithful parishioner of St. Margaret’s Church. She was part of the origins of Saint Margaret’s Church, on the corner of Winn and Center Streets,. She was blessed to visit Israel and Jerusalem and follow Christ’s footsteps in the Stations of the Cross. Her most treasured experience was her visit to Rome and having the great honor of a Papal Visit and during the visit kissing the Pope’s ring. Anna was a woman of great depth. She enjoyed working in her garden and maintaining and decorating her home. She was a wonderful role model to her children and showing her virtues of hard work, family, and faith. Her grandchildren saw the adventurous “Nana” seeing the world, embracing life, and adding excitement to any event. She was a huge College and Professional football fan. She went to numerous games and her family knew that she wouldn’t answer the phone in the midst of a big game. She leaves her family with never ending memories and will be lovingly remembered by all. Anna was the beloved wife of late John M. O’Rourke, She was the loving mother of Kathleen Sousa of Burlington & her late husband Richard, John & his wife Ellen of Ossipee,NH, James & his wife Jeanette of Reading, Robert & his wife Karen of Alton, NH, Patricia O’Rourke & her husband Jeff Fresch of Burlington, and Maryellen Emerson & her husband Rob of Stoneham. She was the sister of Joseph McGloin of CT, Paul McGloin of NY, and the late John McGloin. She was also survived by 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, October 26 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington, at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Anna’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.