Barbara “Barb” Burke, age 95 of Nooksack, WA passed peacefully on Saturday March 1st, 2025 surrounded by family to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Barb was born July 14th, 1929, to Charles and Lottie Robinson in Nooksack, WA. After graduating from Nooksack High School in 1947 she attended Success Business School of Bellingham. In 1949 she married her sweetheart Bob Burke with whom she raised three children.

Barb loved her community and left her mark with every organization she was involved in. She was active in her children’s PTA, served as Blue Bird, Camp Fire, and Cub Scout leader, catechism teacher, and was involved in many church activities. In 1968 Barb became the clerk of the City of Nooksack, retiring in 1993 after 25 years. She continued to make a difference in her community by serving as secretary treasure for the Nooksack Cemetery Board and Whatcom County Fire District 1 as well as volunteering for Foothills Food Bank with her husband Bob. Barb brought positivity, energy, and professionalism to every endeavor and was a joy to work with.

Barb loved long drives with Bob, the ocean, dancing, playing the organ, planting rows of red geraniums, and hanging flower baskets every spring. She truly enjoyed people and made everyone feel welcome and accepted. Her laugh was infectious and people young and old enjoyed being in her presence. She hosted countless family gatherings, was a skilled cook and baker, and always kept the cookie jar full. She lived a life of faith and love and was full of gratitude for the Lord’s blessings and provision. Above all, she loved being a wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma.

One of her children’s most vivid memories growing up includes Barb kneeling at the side of her bed every morning praying for her husband’s and the crew’s safe return from work (Bob was a cutting contractor for 40+ years).  A perfect example of how she modeled loving connection and faith in quiet but impactful ways.

Barb is preceded in death by her parents; husband Bob Burke; sister Betty Dahlgren; granddaughter Allison Hahnel; and son-in-law Brian Hahnel.

She is survived by her brother Chuck (Kay) Robinson; daughter Elaine Hahnel; sons Tom (Barb) Burke, and Bob (Patti) Burke; nine grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside committal for immediate family members will be performed later this month by Father Stephan Dass of The Church of the Assumption at Greenacres Memorial Park.