Rel was born April 2, 1934, in Portland, Maine, to Madeleine and Chester Keefe. She was raised in Bangor, Maine, and attended local schools. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Gary Burke, and raised four children. Rel was a longtime resident of Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Rel enjoyed socializing, shopping, playing bridge, traveling, cooking, sewing, volunteering and being around people. Rel was blessed with many friends from Maine to California and loved keeping in touch with all of them. She was a kind and loving mother and grandmother. She was a loving role model for her eight grandchildren: Marc Ewins, Mitchell Roemer, Kaller Roemer, Connor Burke, Kelly Burke, Kaitlyn Burke, Nathaniel Pane and Greyson Pane. She adored and treasured each and every one of them!
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Rel is survived by her husband, Gary; three daughters, Catherine (Randy) Ewins of Hancock, Maine, Judith (Steven) Roemer of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Pamela (Tony) Pane of Oakton, Va.; one son, Gary (Becky) Burke of Campbell, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Janis Landry-Lane of Midland, Mich.
Rel was preceded in death by her mother, Madeleine, her father, Chester, and her brother, Ted.
A private family service is planned.
One of Rel’s favorite sayings was, “Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember all of you. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all.” May all of your memories of Rel bring a smile to your face and laughter to your heart!
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