Mary Barbara (Burke) D’Alessandro, age 93 of Irvine, died in her home on October 12, 2016. She was surrounded by her daughters, nieces and sister-in-law, and will be greatly missed as the matriarch and spiritual leader of her family.

Born to the late Mary Antoinette Riley Burke and Mark Eugene Burke on March 20, 1923, Mary was the oldest of four siblings and the only daughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph D’Alessandro, stepson Dale D’Alessandro, brothers Thomas, Mark and Fr. Gilbert Burke, as well as several cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law.

Mary grew up in Central City, Pennsylvania. At the age of 17, she left her small coal-mining town to work as a nanny, often caring for 20 babies at one time. She then decided to train to become a nurse, and shortly thereafter, entered the Navy. She served as a nurse (a Navy Wave) during World War II, helping wounded soldiers who had returned stateside from the war. When the war ended, she left the Navy and used her GI Bill to receive more nursing training before working in several hospitals in Pittsburgh and New Jersey.

Tired of the cold and snow in Pennsylvania, she decided to join her friends and move to California in the 1950s. She worked for several hospitals as a surgical and clinical nurse and loved to hear music and go dancing in her free time. She once appeared on the Bob Hope radio show when he asked listeners if they had any unusual talents. She went on the air – almost as a joke - and cracked her jaw and toes on his live nationwide broadcast. Bob Hope thought it was so funny that they paid her a small stipend; she used the money to buy her younger brother a suit for his graduation.

Several years later, she met her husband, Joe, at a Catholic singles event, and they were married six months later in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1964. Shortly after their wedding, they adopted their oldest daughter (Ann) and then had another (Terri) 2.5 years later.

Mary often said her brothers had the Irish wit and humor but that she didn’t have it. But those who knew her would disagree. She always had a one-liner ready, and a quick raise of the eyebrows or a wink with a sparkle in her eye gave away her humorous personality.

Mary was humble and never liked to be the center of attention. She was faith-filled and faithful - to God, family, friends and country. She felt strongly about visiting the sick, helping the poor, and being kind, friendly and forgiving to all. She believed in and encouraged education as the key to success in life. And while she never thought of herself as having a green thumb, she worked hard in her garden, which always produced beautiful flowers, fresh fruit, and the biggest and best tomatoes and zucchini.

Mary is survived by: daughter Ann D’Alessandro (Irvine); grandson Daniel Joseph Murphy IV (Palm Springs); daughter Terri (D’Alessandro) Parker (Irvine); son-in-law Jeff Parker (Irvine), granddaughters Katie and Caroline Parker (Irvine), and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a vigil on Friday, November 4th at 7 p.m. at The Groves Clubhouse (5200 Irvine Blvd, Irvine) and a funeral mass on Saturday, November 5th at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, Irvine. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to the Father Gilbert Burke Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Rd., Latrobe PA 15650.

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