Elizabeth (Betsy) L. Burke of Lexington passed away peacefully on October 11, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by her family, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was the beloved wife of the late Harvey A. Burke.

Betsy is survived by her son, Mark Burke, and his wife, Stephanie, and her two grandchildren, Caitlyn Burke and Ashley Burke, all of Lexington. She is also survived by her loving sister, Susan Rollins, and her husband, Larry, of Westport, Massachusetts, and children, Stacey Benben of Rhode Island and Stephen Benben of Connecticut. Betsy’s late brother David Rucinski’s wife, Sharon, of Plymouth, Michigan, and their children, Anne Laurain and Kevin Rucinski, both of Michigan, also survive her. She is further survived by her late brother Donald Rucinski’s wife, Paulette, of Georgia, and her stepdaughter, Doreen Bascom, and her husband, Dave, of St. Augustine, Florida.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Betsy spent most of her life in Western Massachusetts. Before Harvey’s passing, she enjoyed traveling with him, gardening, weather watching, and birding. Betsy spent many years working for the Employers Association of the North East, where she managed the organization’s finances. Her love of numbers and meticulous attention to detail served her well throughout her career.

Upon retirement, Betsy moved east to be closer to her family and spend more time with her grandchildren. Gentle, kind, and compassionate, Betsy was also strong and independent. She was a loving and protective presence in the lives of those closest to her, always putting her family’s needs before her own. She loved her pets and cherished sharing meals and conversations with friends and family. These simple pleasures reflected what mattered most to her: the people and relationships she held dear.

Visiting hours will be held at Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Road, Lexington, on Thursday, October 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral from the Douglass Funeral Home on Friday, October 16, at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Brigid Church in Lexington at 11 a.m.  Relatives and friends are kindly invited.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betsy’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, New England Chapter.

Private interment will take place at a later date at Holland Cemetery in Holland, Massachusetts.