Florence Laurel Burke, painter and volunteer

Whether she was painting a picture of local scenery, working in her garden, establishing an Alcoholics Anonymous office, or helping raise money for a hospital, Florence Laurel (Lindeke) Burke was either creating or giving.

And she was doing it with joy and determination.

"She was the kind of person who just gave. That's what she was all about," William Burke Jr. said of his mother.

Mrs. Burke, whose volunteering efforts were recognized with a Governor's Award, died of cancer Dec. 4 at her Providence Point home in Issaquah. She was 78.

Mrs. Burke was born June 17, 1924, in St. Paul, Minn., and her family moved to Seattle in 1930. Growing up in a wooded area of Beacon Hill, she developed a love for art and the outdoors at an early age.

Attending Garfield High School and the University of Washington, she continued to draw and paint in oils and watercolors.

It was at the UW that Mrs. Burke met her husband, William. At a dance, the two happened to be the respective dates of a couple who had recently broken up. When the couple patched things up that night, Mrs. Burke and William were introduced. They fell in love and were married in 1944.

While her husband served in World War II, Mrs. Burke drew fashion pictures and wrote a society column at the now-defunct Seattle Star newspaper.

After the war, the Burkes made a home in Washington Park and had three children. The family moved to Bellevue in 1952. In the late 1960s, Mr. Burke retired from advertising. He and Mrs. Burke then purchased an 85-foot converted Coast Guard patrol boat and traveled to ports around the world.

Through their travels, the couple came to adore the San Juan Islands. In 1974, the Burkes purchased and operated the popular Islander Resort on Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island.

Mrs. Burke loved her time on Lopez and became an active member of the community. She brought the first Alcoholics Anonymous and Weight Watchers programs to the island. She also opened Kaimera Art Co-op, where local artists could showcase their work, and Lopez Island Thrift Store, the proceeds of which went toward opening an island clinic. Her volunteer work earned her the Governor's Award.

"She had a heart of gold," said Mrs. Burke's daughter, Laurie Helley. "She always gave so much of herself to everyone else."

The Burkes retired for good in 1980 and moved to Providence Point. Mrs. Burke continued to stay active, helping found the Providence Point Garden Club. Recently, she also sold two paintings to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Mrs. Burke is survived by her husband of 58 years, William; her children, William Jr. of Auburn, Robert Burke of Sammamish and Laurie Helley of Issaquah; and four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Colin Hall, Providence Point, 4135 Providence Point Drive S.E., Issaquah.

Remembrances can be made to the Providence Point Garden Club, 4135 Providence Point Drive S.E., Issaquah, WA 98207.

J.J. Jensen: 206-464-2386 or jjensen@seattletimes.com.