Rita Burkett

Rita N. LeFebrue Burkett, 86 of Hinsdale Rd., Mattydale, died Thursday, at St. Joseph?s Hospital. A native of Naponee, Ontario Mrs. Burkett resided in Mattydale the past 54 years and maintained a summer residence at Panther Lake for many years. Rita was the daughter of the late Edward and Margaret Lefebrue and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1969 from Onondaga Community College and received her Bachelor?s Degree in English from Syracuse University in 1980. She retired in 1981 after 10 years as the Head Nurse at Van Duyn Home and Hospital and 15 years prior as an Emergency Room Nurse at St. Joseph?s Hospital. Rita loved gardening, reading, the theater, playing the piano and spending time with family at Panther Lake. She was also a communicant of St. Margaret?s Church in Mattydale.
She was predeceased by a son William in 2003 and a brother Dennis. Surviving in addition to her loving husband of 63 years Patrick J. Burkett, are her children David Maureen Burkett of North Syracuse, Thomas Bonnie Burkett of Liverpool, Patrick Ann Burkett of Greensboro, NC, Thresa David Evans of Lexington, VA, Timothy Kelly Burkett of Dewitt, a sister Norma Catland off Buffalo, two brothers Phillip Lefebrue of Langley, BC, Vernon Colgan of Kanloops, BC, 15 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 pm Monday at the Krueger Funeral Home, Mattydale. Services will be 9:30 am Tuesday at the funeral home, 2619 Brewerton Rd, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Margaret?s Church. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery.