Michaelyn Burkett Was Substance Abuse Counselor

Michaelyn (Mique) Miron Burkett of Falmouth died peacefully on June 12 at the Falmouth Hospital. She was 80 years old.

Mique attended North High School in Worcester and served in the Navy at Treasure Island in San Francisco, Calif. She later went to the Massachusetts College of Art where she received a scholarship to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, where she lived for three years. In 1956 she moved to Falmouth with her former husband, the late William J. Burkett, to raise their five children. In 1972 she became a substance abuse counselor and the first women's counselor for the Boston Police Street Unit. She retired from the Woods Hole Steamship Authority.

Mique was a longtime member of the Falmouth Artist Guild and Falmouth Theatre Guild and she taught art at both Falmouth and Sandwich schools. She was also an active member of the Falmouth Democratic Party and a great friend to Bill W.

She is survived by three daughters, Pauline Burkett of Falmouth, Michaelyn Burkett of Wareham and Bridget Burkett Tobin of Chilmark, and two sons, Beaven Burkett of New Braintree and Joseph Burkett of West Tisbury. She was predeceased by her daughter, the late Sara Burkett. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church on Main street in Falmouth on Tuesday, June 14, at 11 a.m. Visitation hours were held Monday June 13. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to a favorite charity of one's choice.