Wilma Burke

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Wilma Burke.

      Today, we gather to celebrate the remarkable life of Wilma Burke a woman full of strength, love, kindness, and just the right amount of sass that always kept everyone on their toes.

      Though some of us didn’t have the chance to grow up close to her, we’ve had the unique and powerful experience of getting to know Wilma in a different way—by being in her home, seeing the treasures she surrounded herself with, and feeling the spirit she left behind. Through her photos, her awards, and souvenirs from her travels, one thing becomes clear: Wilma didn’t just live—she thrived.

      Born in Panama to mother Gwendolyn Williams, Wilma was a force to be reckoned with from the very start. Bold, beautiful, and determined, she made the courageous decision to move to the United States—not just for herself, but to give her daughters, Eneida and Elba Eugene, a better life. That decision alone speaks volumes about the kind of woman she was: selfless, brave, and guided by love.

      And let’s not forget the love story. Her husband adored her—deeply and truly. Theirs was the real deal: a relationship built on devotion, laughter, and unwavering loyalty. To him, she was queen—and she carried herself with the grace, wit, and quiet strength of royalty.

     Wilma had an adventurous soul. She loved to travel and explore, and she made sure to enjoy life along the way. Her walls and shelves tell the stories of where she’d been, the lives she touched, and the memories she created. She didn’t just collect souvenirs—she collected experiences.

     There was something rare about the way she embraced life. She didn’t let it pass her by—she grabbed it, danced with it, and rolled her eyes at it when necessary. She was giving, kind, smart, and stylish. But let’s not get it twisted—Grandma Wilma had sass. The good kind. The kind that made you laugh, made you think, and somehow, made you better.

 Her legacy is powerful and wide-reaching. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren:Latisia Blue-Nurse, Ayana Grant, Everard Blissett, Kwana Blissett, Johnnie Blue, and Shamaka Blue.

Her cherished great-grandchildren:Isaiah Nurse, Naomi Nurse, Ty Anna Grant, T’Ara Grant, T’Asia Grant, Najaire Davis, Kenneth Davis, Ty-Lin Bowen, Ty-Ann Bowen, Michael Arroyo, Antonio Blissett, Miya Blissett, Kieshawn Davis, Ty-Sean Blissett, DeaSean Davis, Devon Smith, and Alyssa Smith.

And her precious great-great-grandchildren:Kyree Copper, Kamiya Blissett, and Elijah Parkes.

That’s a whole lot of love.

A whole lot of stories.

A whole lot of future.

      While many of us wish we had more time with her, we’re grateful—grateful for the chance to know her, whether through shared memories, through the stories passed down, calls, or simply through the feeling we get when we walk through her home. We’re thankful for the pieces of her that live in each of us—and especially, for the sass.

Rest well, Grandma Wilma.You lived life your way.And we love you endlessly for it.