Margaret Rourke Burke

Margaret “Dodie” Rourke Burke of Narragansett, Rhode Island, beloved mother, grandmother, great‑grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the age of 91, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great‑grandchildren.

Dodie lived a long and fulfilling life, marked by unwavering kindness, quiet strength, and deep devotion to her faith, family, friends and community. Her warmth, wisdom, and generosity touched countless lives, leaving behind a legacy of love and treasured memories.

She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Francis J. Burke, MD, who preceded her in death twenty‑one years ago. Their love story began nearly seventy‑five years ago when they met as high school sweethearts in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence.

Dodie was the devoted mother of Mary B. Fox and her husband Kevin J. of Narragansett; Francis J. Burke, Jr. and his partner Samantha Miech of Narragansett; James M. Burke and his wife Kerin of Warwick; and Kathleen B. Cottam and her husband Earl “Ty” of Narragansett.

She was a proud and loving grandmother to eight grandchildren: Grace E. Fox and her husband Thomas Zelinski; Margaret F. Racette and her husband Michael J.; Emily M. Fox and her fiancé Casey R. Correia; Kathryn M. Burke, M.D. and her husband Liam M. MacDonald; Michaela “Kayla” B. Cottam and her husband Charles “Austin” A. Smith; James M. Burke and his fiancé Madeline T. Tran; Michael E. Cottam and William K. Fox. She also adored her five energetic great‑grandsons, ranging in age from four months to five years: John R. Racette, Francis K. Racette, Joseph J. Zelinski, William W. Zelinski and Michael F. Racette.

Dodie was the fifth of eight children born to John and Margaret Rourke. She was predeceased by her siblings Michaela Burke, Sheila Killian Grimes, Patricia McCrystal Thompson, Anthony “Tony” Rourke, and Rosemary Franz. She is survived by her brother John Rourke and his wife Ferna and her sister MaryJo Reilly. She was also a cherished aunt to twenty‑three nieces and nephews.

Dodie will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her compassion, grace, and gentle spirit will live on through her children, grandchildren, and generations to come, and in the hearts of all who were fortunate to share in her journey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 1, 2026. Visiting hours will begin at 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Fagan‑Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland Street, Narragansett, RI 02882. Burial will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the SKEFFINGTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION of Providence, RI. Please visit  www.hillskeffington.com for additional information.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dodie’s name to St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland Street, Narragansett, RI 02882 or to Holy Family Home for Mothers and Children, 979 Branch Avenue, Providence, RI 02904.