Maryann Burke

Maryann Burke (DeMatto), beloved wife, mother and Nonna, passed away on April 19, 2024, with her loving husband by her side. Maryann was born in Holyoke, MA on September 3, 1944, to the late Joseph and Emelia DeMatto.
Maryann attended St. Michaels Catholic High School and Fitchburg State College where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.
Maryann was a homemaker and mother. She served the Town of Hatfield as the first female Tax Collector and Selectboard Member.
In April of 1962, Maryann and Bill were introduced on a blind date that took them to dinner at the Hotel Northampton and a movie at the Calvin Theater. The first date went so well, the next night he picked her up and took her to Tom’s Hot Dog Stand where she realized that he was the love of her life. Maryann considered her marriage of 57 years the greatest accomplishment of her life, as the Burke family matriarch, giving her the pride of a beautiful family, that continues to surround her.
Known as “Nonna” to her seven grandchildren, spending time with her family during holidays and all of the milestone celebrations are what she cherished most. Her time at their house in Old Orchard Beach was something she looked forward to every year. She loved sitting in her rocking chair overlooking the sidewalk to the beach, reading a book, conversations with passerby’s, text messages and phone calls to her children and grandchildren, always the “go to,” while absorbing the beauty of the ocean.
Always accompanied by Bill, Maryann enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s endless high school careers. Madi and Ali’s basketball games, Alex and Tucker’s hockey games, Burke and Lincoln’s football games, never missing the thrill of a win or loss. They always knew their “Nonna” was watching and cheering them on. She thoroughly enjoyed watching her granddaughter Maeve navigate those ski slopes like a pro! Graduations from high school and college, spending time with her grandchildren at the beach, and most recently the marriage of her granddaughter Ali, gave her the joy of life.
For this and all Maryann “Nonna” gave in life, and continues to give in our hearts, she will truly be missed and cherished by everyone.
Maryann is survived by her husband Bill of 57 years, her children and their spouses; Traeci (Burke) Stevens and RC Stevens, William and Kristin (Adams) Burke, Riley (Burke) Malinowski and Richie Malinowski, Mindy Burke and Chip Belsky. She was predeceased by her infant son. She also leaves her seven grandchildren; Madisyn Stevens, Aleisha Stevens and her husband Francisco (Kiko) Hernandez Ramos, Maeve Burke, Alex and Tucker Malinowski, Burke Belsky and Lincoln Belsky.
The services will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family wishes to thank both the ED staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, the staff at Brigham and Women’s Boston and the care of Hospice of the Fisher Home. Their kindness to our mom and our family is greatly appreciated. Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002. Another thing that would make her extremely happy is if you just turned around and did a good deed for someone else . . . that is what she was all about!