Gloria Burke

BURKE, Gloria - It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Gloria Diane Burke (nee Pancer) on April 28, 2026, in Toronto, at the age of 88. Gloria is survived by her four children and their spouses: Michael and Carol Burke; Howard and Michelle Burke; Cheryl and Warren Lass; and Debra and David Clodman. She was a proud Bubbie to: Lawrence and Alyssa Burke; Stephen and Aanika Burke; Melody Burke and Antony Maluzynsky; Louis Burke and Jessica King; Samuel and Becca Burke; Elliot and Logan Lass; Kevin Lass and Kevin Beiner; Jonathan Clodman; and Rachel Clodman and Josh White. She adored her seven great- grandchildren: Chloe; Myles; Mia; Goldie; Ethan; Callie; and Anastasia. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Joseph Pancer, her brother, Allen Pancer, and her husband, Louis Lawrence Burke. She will be deeply missed by Harvey Shapiro, her loving and devoted companion and partner of over 45 years, who was always by her side and a constant source of love and support. She will also be missed by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Pearl and David Yolles, and by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. After losing her husband (when he was only 45 years old) and both of her parents within 26 months, Gloria devoted herself to raising her four teenaged children. She took great pride and joy in her family and leaves a legacy of love, compassion, and appreciation, as well as a lasting example of determination, independence and resilience. Together with Harvey, they built a business, Oscar Parrot Promotions, from nothing. In her final years, as dementia gradually took hold, there were still moments when Gloria's warmth, her smile, and her deep love for her family shone through, reminding us that her essential nature remained unchanged. The family would like to thank her caregivers, Victoria and Jane, for their compassionate care over the past two years, which enabled Gloria to remain in her home. Donations in Gloria's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 416-488-8772 www.alzheimer.ca, or Baycrest Foundation, 416- 785-2875 www.baycrestfoundation.org