Lakeside Beikirch Care Center resident Ahnie Burke celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday, December 4, with a family party on the fourth floor of the Care Center, complete with a cake and a poster board decorated with 100 construction paper candles. Although Ahnie Burke never had children of her own, she loved spending time with her nieces and nephews and considered them her adopted "children." Ahnie spent most of her life as an administrative assistant, and she also drove for the Red Cross and made items for the war. Ahnie had a passion for singing and spent many of her years traveling with the group The Sweet Adelines. Another love of Ahnie's was crafts, as she belonged to various craft groups throughout the years. Above all, Ahnie was famous for her hugs - she loved giving warm, friendly hugs to friends, family and neighbors that she was in contact with throughout her life. She spent the majority of her years living in Rochester and the last ten years in Bergen, close to family, before moving to the Care Center. Inspired by Ahnie, members of the family have started "Ahnie's Angels," which consists of 54 family members from all around Rochester who donate their time, money and love to various organizations in the area. Last year, Ahnie's Angels provided for a sensory room to be created in the Care Center, where residents could participate in activities which stimulate all of their senses. "Ahnie is just a wonderful, caring, beautiful person who inspires all of the people around her to give of themselves," says Donald Burke, Ahnie's nephew. December 11, 2005 |
