REGINA JOYCE LAFAYETTE BURKE

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — Regina Joyce LaFayette Burke, 84, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Jan. 17, 2024, with her family by her side at McClure Miller Respite House. She was born in Burlington, Vt., on March 3, 1939, the daughter of Mitchell Thomas LaFayette and Isabelle Ann (Thompson) LaFayette.

Ginny grew up in Middlebury and graduated from Middlebury High School in 1956. where she was the junior class marshal, football queen, a yearbook staff member, and in basketball and chorus. She studied elementary education at Castleton State College for two years before getting married and raising a family. Regina married William David Burke at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury on Oct. 11, 1958. They had three children, JoAnn, John and David, and lived briefly in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado during Bill’s career in the U.S. Air Force before settling in South Burlington, Vt. in 1966.

After their divorce, Ginny worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Fanny Allen Hospital for over 20 years.

Ginny loved spending time with her extended family at their camp on Lake Dunmore in Salisbury, Vt., while sunbathing, swimming, ice fishing, or playing cards. She enjoyed vacationing in Florida, Michigan, and North Carolina. Her favorite trip was to Paris, France, with her daughter JoAnn, son-in-law Rob, and granddaughter Jenna, where they visited the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Monet’s house and garden in Giverny. Ginny had many close friends and was a member of the Red Hat club.

Regina is survived by her children and their spouses, JoAnn Gina (Burke) Fisher and John Robert “Rob” Fisher of Asheville, N.C.; John Mitchell Burke and Ann (Rand) Burke of South Burlington; and David William Burke and Karen (Trombley) Burke of Ferrisburgh. She is survived by five grandchildren, Jenna Burke and spouse Max Swomley of Denver, Colo.; Alexa Burke and partner Grant Davis of Colchester; Mariah Burke of Colchester; Connor Burke of South Burlington; and Isabel Burke and partner Ian McKenna of Brockton, Mass. Also, she is survived by her great-granddaughter, Claire Lafayette Swomley, and several nieces and nephews.

Regina was predeceased by her parents, Mitchell and Isabelle; sister Phyllis Jane (LaFayette) Gremban in 2023 and brother Richard Mitchell LaFayette in 1987.

Her family would like to thank the staff of Gazebo Senior Living, Maple Ridge Lodge assisted living, Elderwood at Burlington, and McClure Miller Respite House for their care of Ginny over the past few years.

A memorial service will be held in the spring, on a date to be determined, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in South Burlington, Vt. Interment will be at Mt. St. Joseph Cemetery in Bristol, Vt. Please consider a donation in Regina’s memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.

Arrangements are in care of Stephen Gregory & Son Cremation, South Burlington, Vt.◊