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Jennie Murphy

Posted 2014-10-30 by Judy Wight Branson
Prescott Evening Courier, Prescott, Arizona
Monday, May 5, 1950, page 1, column 1

Mrs. Burke Taken By Death

State Pioneer Dies Saturday After Illness

Mrs. Jennie Burke, 95, one of Arizona's best loved pioneers, died at 8 p.m. Saturday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Goodwin, 147 North Marina street, following an illness of several months. She had lived in Arizona for 70 years, much of the time in Prescott.

The rosary will be recited at 6:30 o'clo0ck tonight at the Lester Ruffner Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 8 o'clo9ck tomorrow morning in the Sacred Heart church, with Father Bernard Nowicke, C.M.F., officiating at the high requiem mass. Interment will follow in Mountain View cemetery.

The pall bearers will include: Frank Murphy, her godchild, Harold Shumate, Dr. Charles Piousard, and Beverly Burke, Jr., a grandson, all of Phoenix; George Goodwin, a grandson, and Michael Lynch, of Prescott.

Mrs. Burke, the former Jennie Murphy, was born in Ballinasloe, County, Galaway, Ireland, Oct. 19, 1854. She left Ireland on her nineteenth birthday to come to New York to join some cousins.

In 1880, Miss Murphy came west with the family of Colonel Benjamin, who was ordered to Fort Whipple to serve as adjutant general under Gen. George Crook. The party went by train to San Francisco, where they remained for a short time while Colonel Benjamin visited friends at the Presidio. They then went to Yuma and to Maricopa Junction by the Southern Pacific railroad.

They were met at Maricopa Junction by an an ambulance drawn by four mules, which had been send down from Whipple. they remained overnight at Phoenix, then came to Whipple by way of the Black Canyon road. A relay team met them at Mayer.

Miss Murphy was married Jan. 3, 1883m to Dennis A. Burke, quartermaster sergeant at Whipple. The wedding took place in the old Sacred Heart church located on the opposite side of North Marina street from the present edifice.

The couple remained at Whipple for several years and four of their six children were born there. They then moved to Prescott, living first on South Cortez street, and then moving to their home on North Marina street, where the Sam Hendrix store now stands.

Mr. Burke and his partner, Michael Hickey, built the Burke hotel on the corner of West Gurley and South Montezuma streets. This was destroyed in the great fire which swept the business section of Prescott on July 14, 1900. The partners rebuilt the hotel, which was considered the one of the finest in the southwest. It is now known as the St. Michael hotel.

Mr. Burk sold his interest to John Dude and in 1908 the family went to Bouse, where he operated a hotel until he became seriously ill in 1918. He died in Mercy hospital on November 3 of that year.

Mrs. Burke then made her home in Prescott with her son Beverly, until 1923, when they went to Phoenix, where he engaged in the drug business. In 1945, Mrs. Burke returned to Prescott to make her home with Mrs. Goodman.

Mrs. Burke was a devoted member of the Catholic church, never missing mass except for illness. During her stay at Whipple, she often walked in to early mass. She was one of the earliest members of the Alter Society and while living in Phoenix became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis.

She made a wide circle of friends during her long residence in Arizo0na and was greatly loved by all who knew her. A friend, in speaking of her, said, 'She saw good in everyone,' and was ever ready to help those needing aid or encouragement. The years rested lightly on her and she was keenly alert to world affairs, taking great interest in listening to the radio and reading the news.

Mrs. Burke is survived by three children, Mrs. Anna Kraemer, of Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Goodwin, of this city, and Beverly Burke, of Phoenix. The children who preceded her in death were, Mrs. Kathleen Cartmell, of Ash Fork; John and Dennis Burke. A sister, Mrs. Margaret Kealey, of Fairfield, Conn., also survives.

There are seven grandchildren; Thelma Kraemer, of Washington, D. C.; Kathleen McCreary, of Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. George Goodwin, of Prescott; Mrs. J. F. (Mary Ann) Hughes, of Albuquerque, N.M.; James, Beverly and Carolyn Burke, of Phoenix. Another grandson, Earl Goodwin, died here Oct. 9, 1946.

Also surviving are nine great-grandchildren: Jo Ann McCreary, of Kansas City, Mo.; John, Burke and Mary Margaret Goodwin, of Prescott, Michael Earl Hughes, of Albuquerque; Beverly, Barbara Ann, Kathleen and Dennis Burke, of Phoenix.













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