SOUTHWICK: Kathleen Burke Jarret, 72, of Southwick, passed away peacefully, and full of love, surrounded by her family at home on Sunday, January 3, 2016. Born in Buffalo, NY, she was the daughter of the late Robert E. and Anne B. (Ranallo) Burke. Kathleen was a 1961 graduate of Cathedral High School and was a member of the Westfield State College graduating class of 1965. Over the years she had several successful careers as an elementary school teacher, a stay at home mom, and as a Vocational Rehab Job Placement Specialist. She took great pride in her 5 year service as an Alumni Representative on the Westfield State College Board of Trustees from 1982 to 1986. She truly embraced her connections with Westfield State University and her alumni family, and was just recently welcomed into the Westfield State University ‘Golden Owls’ alumni society.
Kathleen’s lifelong passions were her family, friends, her faith, music, singing and dancing. With her radiant smile, she lived her life with unwavering grace, dignity, generosity and love and will forever be in the hearts of all who knew her.
She leaves to cherish her memory her son, David Jarret, Jr. and his wife Kimberly of Westfield; two daughters, Sharon Ensign and her husband Steven of Southwick, and Lynne Smith and her husband Chip of Westfield; seven grandchildren that she adored, Austin Jarret, Gillian, Nicholas and Brielle Ensign, Saige, Shaen and Emery Smith; five brothers, Robert Burke Jr. and his wife Debbie of Killington, VT, William Burke and his wife Kathleen of Middletown, CT, Dennis Burke and his wife Sharon of Glastonbury, CT, Richard Burke of New York, NY, Leonard Burke and his wife Dawn of Avon, CT; two sisters, Maureen Pollard and her husband James of Harwich, MA, and Margaret Hall and her husband Bruce of Unionville, CT; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Kathleen’s life will be held on Saturday, January 9th at 11:00 AM at Christ Lutheran Church, 568 College Highway, Southwick, MA. In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts in Kathleen’s name can be sent to: Westfield State University Foundation, Inc. 2 Broad Street Westfield, MA 01085 c/o Kathleen Jarret Memorial Scholarship.
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