Marianne Mason Burke, 67, of St. Louis, Missouri, died peacefully in her sleep on August 30, 2022.

She was preceded in death by her parents George Roswell Burke, Jr. and Marian Storey Burke (née Smith), and brother George Roswell Burke, III; and is survived by her brother Mark Storey Burke, sister Elizabeth Carol Burke Taylor, and children Mary Kathleen Kaseka Kayembe and Tshiswaka Barnabe Kayembe, Jr.

Marianne was a devoted and loving mother, a wise counselor, and a loyal friend. She placed her loved ones above herself and opened her arms to anyone who needed help. As a counselor, she took the hardest cases, and never stopped educating herself on the newest findings and techniques in mental health. Her ability to uplift those around her and find silver linings in even the darkest clouds enabled her to turn the most painful traumas in her life into lessons to help guide others through similar situations.

Christianity was her foundation, inspiring her to be an active member of her churches as a choir member and Bible study host. Her strong moral compass led her to share her truth and stand up for what was right, even at the cost of her own comfort and security.

After graduating from Randolph College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Educational Psychology in 1977, she joined the Peace Corps to spread the gospel and teach in the Congo (then Zaire). She got engaged abroad, and returned to the United States in 1981 to marry and start a family. Over the following years, she and her husband opened their home to sponsor Congolese immigrants.

Marianne taught first grade at The College School of Webster Groves while her children attended. She was active in their lives, cheering at every sports game, leading their Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, guiding them through high school and college applications, and fostering their passions for music and literature through weekly piano lessons and trips to the library. She was an unwavering supporter of their passions for the arts, and took pride not only in their hard work and success, but in helping them do what they loved.

When divorce upended the trajectory of her life, Marianne did her utmost to continue supporting her children, but also used it as an opportunity to change careers. At fifty, she taught herself to touch-type and entered a master's degree program at Covenant Seminary, where she graduated cum laude with a Master of Arts in Counseling in 2007.

She practiced what she preached as a counselor, applying the skills she learned to herself, and learning them well enough to design courses and teach others. Her incredible interpersonal skills and empathy made others feel seen, heard, and validated, and made her a confidante to clients, friends, family, and even the friends of her children.

Despite her waning health, Marianne worked hard, learned continually, and supported her loved ones and clients until she died. She was beloved by many and will be sorely missed. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is finally at rest, pain-free, and receiving the devotion and loving care she selflessly gave to so many others.

A funeral service to remember Marianne Burke and celebrate her life was held on Thursday, September 8th, 2022 at Schrader Funeral Home in Ballwin, Missouri.  Graveside services will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City, Texas.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to charities dedicated to providing counseling for underprivileged populations, women, and families going through divorce.