Abby Burke

She was born March 8, 1952 to Fred and Corrine Schwartz in New York City and grew up in Lake Placid, where her parents developed Holiday Harbor. She loved the Adirondacks, loved Lake Placid and especially loved being out in her boat on the lake. In the late ’60s through early ’70s, she drove the tour boats and taxis on the lake. Her love and passion for being on the water continued throughout her life.

When she and her husband, Ed Burke, retired to this area in 2014 after living in Los Angeles for 37 years, she could frequently be found exploring the area’s streams and backwaters in her Hornbeck kayak. She loved her family, watching her son, Travis, grow up to be a man and sharing his joys as well as being there for comfort when she was needed. In recent years, it meant so much to her to share and enjoy her passion for the Adirondack lakes and streams with Travis and his family. She also loved hiking the trails, driving her Mini Cooper, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter and, of course, the company of her dogs, Starr and Berlin.

To her, every moment, experience and person she met was a gift to be treasured.

She graduated from Lake Placid High School in 1970 and went to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, earning a BA in Education. She had a career in childhood education and development. She owned her own pre-school and later served as director of different YMCA sites in the Santa Clarita valley of California. After retiring to Wilmington, she worked at the Adirondack Trading Company and Adirondack Decorative Arts and Crafts in Lake Placid.

She is survived by her husband, Ed Burke of Wilmington, her son Travis Burke, daughter-in-law Colby Burke and grandson Shay Burke of Ottawa, step-brother Robert Schwartz of Greenwich, Connecticut, brother-in-law Jack Burke and his wife Peggy Burke of Thomson, Georgia, niece Lucy Catalfamo Romero, her husband Richard Romero and their daughter Giana Romero of San Diego, California.

She is preceded by her parents, Fred and Corrine Schwartz and sister, Terri Schwartz.

A celebration of her life will take place at a later date to be announced. The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements. Relatives and friends are invited to share a memory, upload a photograph or leave condolences at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com.