Obituary of Mary Poston Burke

Mary Poston Burke (affectionately known by her family as Muffy) died peacefully October 20, 2011 at her daughter's home in NJ. Mary was born on January 28, 1912 in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Elias McClellan Poston and his wife, Therese Erb. She attended the Columbus School for Girls and Wells College, where she graduated in 1934. While at Wells, she met her husband to be, Coleman Burke, a student at Hamilton College. After their marriage, the Burkes lived in New York City for several years before moving to Short Hills where Mary was involved in the community. "A former member of the Overlook Hospital Board of trustees and an active Auxilian, Mrs. Burke established several Short Hills TWIG groups in the 1950s, which remain active today. Growing up in Columbus, she had observed the success of the TWIG at the Children's Hospital and decided to begin similar groups to benefit Overlook. " For her work at the hospital, Mary was honored with the Overlook Hospital Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Mary joined the Short Hills Garden Club in 1954 and was the President from 1960-1962. She worked enthusiastically in all phases of the club and enjoyed her own gardens in Short Hills and at her summer home in Oxford, NY. She joined a cadre of others to keep the jet port from being developed in the Great Swamp. And after the Vietnam War she oversaw the planting of cherry trees in Taylor Park in Millburn. She was an honorary member of the Short Hills Club and the Short Hills Garden Club and an associate member of the Lake Ludlow Club in NY, where she taught her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to fish. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sister and two brothers. She is survived by her daughter Mary Burke Partridge, two sons, Daniel W. Burke II of Waite Hill, Ohio and Coleman P. Burke of New York City; nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be Nov. 5, 2011 at Christ Church in Short Hills, NJ. She will be buried in Oxford, NY next to her beloved Coleman so they may continue their dance together. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the charity of your choice, or the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, or Overlook Hospital.