Jennifer Burke

A Requiem Mass will be offered Friday January 30th 4:00 PM at Sacred Heart Church.

Jennifer Burke (Chadwick), 63 , passed away in a tragic automobile accident on the morning of January 21, 2026. She was a resident of Port Ewen, NY, and had recently suffered the loss of her beloved husband, Gary Burke, who predeceased her on January 17, 2026.

Born on March 2, 1962, in Manchester, New Hampshire, Jennifer lived a colorful life. Much of her youth and young adulthood was spent in New England—a place that always held her heart and cherished memories. She wore her heritage proudly, cheering on the Patriots and Red Sox, and never hesitated to correct the pronunciation of any Massachusetts city.

In the late 1980s, Jennifer made her way to the Hudson Valley, where she spent the remainder of her life building her family and exploring a wide range of careers. Over the years, she served in several successful restaurants, counseled at-risk youth, worked for world-renowned jeweler Steven Kretchmer, and dedicated more than 20 years to the home health care industry. In the most recent years of her life, Jennifer devoted herself to caring for her husband at home.

Jennifer had a passion for equestrian sports, dearly loved her pets, found comfort in her faith, and was happiest anywhere near the ocean. She will be remembered for her quick wit, strong convictions, boundless compassion, and unmistakable presence—always marked by something attention-grabbing, whether it was her clothing, her cars, or her beloved animals.

Jennifer is survived by her daughter, Kahla Leon; her stepdaughter, Deana Burke; her sisters, Pamela and Martha Chadwick; her stepsister, Deborah Taylor; her four grandchildren; and her loving nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her mother, Marcia Evans; her stepfather, Robert Evans; and her father, Peter Chadwick.