Catherine Burke of Westport, Conn. and formerly of Edgartown and Pompano Beach, Fla., died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, August 23.

She was 86 and the beloved wife of 47 years of the late Thomas Vincent Burke.

Kate was born in Bergen, N.J. to the late Stephen and Margaret (Mendles) Gattoni. Just out of high school she accepted a job with Pan American Airlines, where she served as a stewardess and assisted in public relations. She enjoyed her travels throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. She subsequently settled down to begin her family following a truly romantic courtship with her husband. They continued to love each other dearly until his death in 2000.

Kate’s main focus in life was spending time with her family, in particular, the many special family visits on Martha’s Vineyard. As her husband’s co-pilot, she sustained her passion for travel as he flew them to many treasured destinations. Kate loved reading and crossword puzzles and was a longtime member of the Terra Mar Ladies’ Garden Club.

She is survived by her loving children: Vincent Burke and his wife Judith of Cold Spring, N.Y.; Thomas Burke and his wife Mary of Davie, Fla.; Dr. Mark Burke of Bay Terrace, N.Y.; Catherine Morrison and her husband Daniel of Westport, Conn.; and Anthony Burke of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. She will also be missed by her grandchildren: Jean Burke Foley and her husband Thomas, Stephen Burke and his wife Jessica, Thomas Burke and his wife Jennifer, Stephanie Franco and her husband Robert, Kerry and Richard Burke, and Daniel and Peter Morrison; as well as her great-grandchildren: Sabrina, Adam, Ava, Maya, Thomas, Samantha, Andrew and Riley. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her young daughter, Stephanie, and her brother, Peter Gattoni.

Friends may greet her family on Friday, August 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home on 50 Reef Road in Fairfield Center, Conn. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 27 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by interment at Willowbrook Cemetery.

To send an online condolence, visit shaughnesseybanks.com.