Kathleen Burke Rhodes
September 18, 1947 ~ August 21, 2021
Kathleen (Kathy) Burke Rhodes passed away on Saturday, August 21, 2021. She was 73. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas on September 18, 1947, the eldest of the five children of Robert J. Burke, Sr. and Cecelia O’Rourke Burke. After moving many times throughout her childhood due to her father’s employment, the family settled in the Washington D.C. area when Kathy was a Junior in high school. She then attended Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree. It was in Vermont where she gave birth to her eldest son Hugh L. McLaughlin III (Trip), eventually relocating with her growing family back to the D.C. area where they were blessed with her youngest son, Joshua M. McLaughlin.
Kath worked as a teacher, a Buyer for the May Company, for whom she traveled the world, she was a caterer and a personal chef extraordinaire.
Kathy was eclectic, funny and one of a kind. She loved laughter…and loved to laugh: at her own stories and those of others, with others and most certainly at her own expense. She lit up a room. She was creative and energetic…a real firecracker. Kathy could make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, whether in making a home or a gourmet meal out of whatever she found in the fridge. Her Halloween and dinner parties were legendary. She was known throughout her family for her inability to be photographed well…the camera could never quite capture her spirit.
She loved her husband Turk and the life they shared: the home they built together on Grayson Place, their many motorcycle trips, following all of the boys’ sporting events and activities. Kath and Turk loved their life in Nag’s Head and the wonderful friends they made there. The beach really was their happy place. They adored their grandchildren and genuinely believed they were gifted with five little buddies.
Kathy loved fiercely - her sons and their wives, who she loved as if they were her own daughters, her grandchildren, her family and her friends. If you were an important part of her life you knew it, and never doubted it. She made certain of it.
Kathleen is survived by her sons Trip and his wife Paula, Josh and his wife Stacey, her grandchildren Burke, Conor, Maeve, Maddie and Riley, her sister Therese Lee Burke (Te), sisters- in -law Therese C. Burke and Rosemary F. Burke, Kelley Rhodes, and Patty Ducrest, nieces and nephews, and so many cherished friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, John L. (Turk) Rhodes, Jr., (the love of her life), her parents, and her siblings Patricia A. Burke, Robert J. Burke, Jr., and Michael A. Burke, Sr.
“Life is but a wink in the eye of time.” Robert J. Burke. Sr
Kath worked as a teacher, a Buyer for the May Company, for whom she traveled the world, she was a caterer and a personal chef extraordinaire.
Kathy was eclectic, funny and one of a kind. She loved laughter…and loved to laugh: at her own stories and those of others, with others and most certainly at her own expense. She lit up a room. She was creative and energetic…a real firecracker. Kathy could make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, whether in making a home or a gourmet meal out of whatever she found in the fridge. Her Halloween and dinner parties were legendary. She was known throughout her family for her inability to be photographed well…the camera could never quite capture her spirit.
She loved her husband Turk and the life they shared: the home they built together on Grayson Place, their many motorcycle trips, following all of the boys’ sporting events and activities. Kath and Turk loved their life in Nag’s Head and the wonderful friends they made there. The beach really was their happy place. They adored their grandchildren and genuinely believed they were gifted with five little buddies.
Kathy loved fiercely - her sons and their wives, who she loved as if they were her own daughters, her grandchildren, her family and her friends. If you were an important part of her life you knew it, and never doubted it. She made certain of it.
Kathleen is survived by her sons Trip and his wife Paula, Josh and his wife Stacey, her grandchildren Burke, Conor, Maeve, Maddie and Riley, her sister Therese Lee Burke (Te), sisters- in -law Therese C. Burke and Rosemary F. Burke, Kelley Rhodes, and Patty Ducrest, nieces and nephews, and so many cherished friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, John L. (Turk) Rhodes, Jr., (the love of her life), her parents, and her siblings Patricia A. Burke, Robert J. Burke, Jr., and Michael A. Burke, Sr.
“Life is but a wink in the eye of time.” Robert J. Burke. Sr
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The Owners and Staff at the Money and King Funeral Home, wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable. Please feel free to call us anytime as we are always available to you. Bob Gallagher Funeral Director
The Burke family were a lg part of my life whenever I had the pleasure of doing Kathy’s hair she always made me laugh. She lived her life in her own lane of life. So sorry for your loss.
We send our deepest condolences to the family of Kathy Burke. We remember her as such a warm, funny, and engaging person. Her loss is a shock. Sincerely, Mark Eisenhower and Amy Fries
What a beautiful tribute and fascinating life story. We were profoundly sorry to hear of her passing. Love and heartfelt condolences to all affected by this loss. <3 Scott & Karen Lebow
We are so sorry to hear of Katie’s passing. Katie and Terri were classmates at Trinity College; and she was one of those people you cross paths with in life that you never forget. She was bright, beautiful, and so full of life. We didn’t see Katie often after graduation in 1969, but never forgot her. She was a gem. Our condolences to her family and friends. We know she will be missed. Rest easy Katie.
I lived living across the street from Kath and Turk on Grayson Place. I remember her buying the kids painted rocks; loved our time “decorating” together and will always have those red cowboy boots in mind. Much love, Robin Payne
Josh and Trip, Sending much love, good memories and our deepest condolences at this time. Kathy was and is a spunky soul who will always be remembered, to me, with her colorful outfits, smile and laughter. Love, Kim and Michael Martin
Dear Trip, Josh and all of Katie’s extended family, I was very saddened to hear of Katie’s sudden passing I was a classmate of hers at TriniTy and remember our years together very well. She was energetic, fun loving, resilient and had a very big heart. The obituary you wrote really captured her essence. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate this time. You will carry her with you forever. With deepest sympathy, Linda Cormier DeMaio
Katie and my wife Terri were classmates at Trinity College, and we have great memories of fun times with her. She was indeed a crackerjack, and a gem. Our condolences to her family and many friends. Rest easy Katie.