Obituary for Gail Pauline Burck (Karp)
On April 18, 2020, Gail Pauline Burck, beloved wife of the late Charles ‘Charlie’ Edward Burck Jr. passed away at an age she never wished to be defined by, after a long struggle with various health complications. At the time of Gail’s passing she went peacefully as she was held by her family and surrounded by and cared for by one of her favorite nurses.
Gail was born on December 12th in Baltimore, Maryland and was the daughter of the late Bennie and Beatrice Karp. Gail is survived by her daughter Christine B. Kraft and her husband Michael Kraft of Littlestown, Pennsylvania and two grandchildren, Megan Rogers and her husband Scott Rogers of Buffalo, New York and Mace McCauley and their fiancé Shane Cunningham of Middletown, Ohio.
Gail and Charlie were married for 53 years and both highly valued time with their daughter and grandchildren. Gail was the caregiver of the family, having taken care of her mother in her mother’s later years as well as being very involved in the lives of their grandchildren, Megan and Mace. Gail worked a variety of jobs including that of school bus driver in Baltimore City. Eventually, after first volunteering in a kindergarten classroom at Emmanuel Lutheran School in Catonsville, MD, Gail successfully received her Master Degree in Education from Towson University and then served as the full-time kindergarten teacher at Emmanuel until her retirement. Gail valued education, was an avid reader and advocate for being a lifelong learner.
In addition to Gail's service at Emmanuel Church and School, she was faithful in her service to the Southeastern Educators Conference. She looked forward to the conference as a time to learn, grow and enjoy camaraderie with her colleagues. Gail served as Secretary of SEDLEC providing detailed and accurate minutes. She played an integral role in the planning of several conferences. Gail was able to project an attitude of calm and bring a sense of order and control to apparent chaos. In one incident, the power went out during the banquet. Following the fiasco, the President was quite shaken but Gail was able to assure him that all would be well and he most certainly could handle the situation.
A favorite place for the family was Ocean City, Maryland. Annual trips there were made for well over 50 years. Gail loved all of Maryland and enjoyed its many venues with her family and friends. After retirement, Gail and Charlie moved to Taneytown, MD where they were actively involved in Peace in Christ Lutheran Church with their eldest granddaughter, Megan. Gail remained involved there after Charlie’s passing in 2014. She led a grief support class and held a variety of offices at the church. She served faithfully until her health made it impossible for her to participate. However, until she was physically unable, she daily texted a Bible Verse a day to members of the church as well as other friends and family. In August of 2019, Gail relocated to Buffalo, New York, where she planned to live with her granddaughter Megan and husband Scott to receive further care she needed. Unfortunately, her health declined requiring her to receive skilled nursing care and various hospital stays from November of 2019 until her death in 2020.
Gail was committed to her faith, family and friends, held strongly to her principles and was always ready to find adventure and fun! She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A Memorial Service will be held later in the year when it is safe to gather and celebrate her life. Her family is requesting for those who wish to be updated on the day and time of this service, to please email Megan directly at meganbearogers@gmail.com and you will receive an invite to the Memorial Service. If you prefer, you may also reach Megan by calling or texting her at 443-202-1044. Please visit Gail's memory book page, where you can leave condolences, pictures and memories to be shared with the family @ www.KOLANOFUNERALHOME.com
Gail was born on December 12th in Baltimore, Maryland and was the daughter of the late Bennie and Beatrice Karp. Gail is survived by her daughter Christine B. Kraft and her husband Michael Kraft of Littlestown, Pennsylvania and two grandchildren, Megan Rogers and her husband Scott Rogers of Buffalo, New York and Mace McCauley and their fiancé Shane Cunningham of Middletown, Ohio.
Gail and Charlie were married for 53 years and both highly valued time with their daughter and grandchildren. Gail was the caregiver of the family, having taken care of her mother in her mother’s later years as well as being very involved in the lives of their grandchildren, Megan and Mace. Gail worked a variety of jobs including that of school bus driver in Baltimore City. Eventually, after first volunteering in a kindergarten classroom at Emmanuel Lutheran School in Catonsville, MD, Gail successfully received her Master Degree in Education from Towson University and then served as the full-time kindergarten teacher at Emmanuel until her retirement. Gail valued education, was an avid reader and advocate for being a lifelong learner.
In addition to Gail's service at Emmanuel Church and School, she was faithful in her service to the Southeastern Educators Conference. She looked forward to the conference as a time to learn, grow and enjoy camaraderie with her colleagues. Gail served as Secretary of SEDLEC providing detailed and accurate minutes. She played an integral role in the planning of several conferences. Gail was able to project an attitude of calm and bring a sense of order and control to apparent chaos. In one incident, the power went out during the banquet. Following the fiasco, the President was quite shaken but Gail was able to assure him that all would be well and he most certainly could handle the situation.
A favorite place for the family was Ocean City, Maryland. Annual trips there were made for well over 50 years. Gail loved all of Maryland and enjoyed its many venues with her family and friends. After retirement, Gail and Charlie moved to Taneytown, MD where they were actively involved in Peace in Christ Lutheran Church with their eldest granddaughter, Megan. Gail remained involved there after Charlie’s passing in 2014. She led a grief support class and held a variety of offices at the church. She served faithfully until her health made it impossible for her to participate. However, until she was physically unable, she daily texted a Bible Verse a day to members of the church as well as other friends and family. In August of 2019, Gail relocated to Buffalo, New York, where she planned to live with her granddaughter Megan and husband Scott to receive further care she needed. Unfortunately, her health declined requiring her to receive skilled nursing care and various hospital stays from November of 2019 until her death in 2020.
Gail was committed to her faith, family and friends, held strongly to her principles and was always ready to find adventure and fun! She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A Memorial Service will be held later in the year when it is safe to gather and celebrate her life. Her family is requesting for those who wish to be updated on the day and time of this service, to please email Megan directly at meganbearogers@gmail.com and you will receive an invite to the Memorial Service. If you prefer, you may also reach Megan by calling or texting her at 443-202-1044. Please visit Gail's memory book page, where you can leave condolences, pictures and memories to be shared with the family @ www.KOLANOFUNERALHOME.com