Claire R. Burke, 82, a resident of New Canaan, passed away on September 21, 2008. She was the wife of the late Terrance F. Burke. She was born on June 13, 1926 to the late John and Jennie Sullivan Rush in Enfield, CT. Mrs. Burke was a graduate of St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford for teaching. She was the past president of the Stamford Woman’s Club. She was also the member of the Stamford Garden club and the New Canaan suburbanites. Mrs. Burke was a teacher at St. Cecilia in Stamford as well as the New Canaan public schools. Mrs. Burke is survived by a daughter, Anne Burke Piotrzkowski of Stamford, and six sons; John F. Burke of Houston, TX, T. Michael Burke of Trumbull, CT, William P. Burke of Denver, CO, Jospeh D. Burke of New Canaan, Patrick M. Burke of Sudbury, MA, and Paul A. Burke of New Canaan. She also leaves a brother, William Rush of Enfield, CT. In addition to her husband and her parents, Mrs. Burke was predeceased by her son, Thomas R. Burke. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, September 24th, at 10:00 am at St. Aloysius Church on Cherry Street in New Canaan. Interment will follow in St. John’s cemetery in Darien, CT. Friends may call at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan, on Tuesday, September 23rd, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.