News
Vale Sr Heather Burke
July 8, 2026
Sr Heather Burke passed away on 2 July at the Stella Maris Aged Care in Cronulla where she has been living for several years.
The Funeral for Sr Heather will be held at St Patricks Church, Sutherland at 10.30am on Wednesday 15 July.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Sister Heather Burke pbvm of the Presentation Sisters. Sister Heather was a cherished presence in Our Parish for many years and a long-time supporter of the Macarthur Social Justice Network, remembered with great affection for her compassion, creativity, and unwavering commitment to community.
Many in our network will recall her work at the Nagle Centre, where she offered Art Therapy that touched the lives of countless people. Her gentle guidance and artistic insight helped create a space of healing and dignity for those who needed it most. Beyond her ministry, Sister Heather was an accomplished painter, known especially for her vibrant landscape works that reflected her deep appreciation of beauty and nature.
Heather’s life began in Haberfield, where her father served as the local chemist. Their family home stood on the corner of Ramsey Road and Dalhousie Street, and she often spoke fondly of her childhood there. She attended Domremy College from 1951 to 1955, graduating as part of the largest class the school had seen at that time. Her memories of Domremy were vivid and joyful: playing in the large paddock shared with a goat and blackberry bushes, helping Sister Louis in the convent garden, climbing the forbidden tree in the front garden, and walking the wrap-around verandah of Delapre before morning prayers in the chapel.
After a year working in the city, Heather followed the example of her role models Sister Benedicta and Sister Veronica Roberts and joined the Presentation Sisters, becoming professed in 1959. Her vocation led her into a rich and varied career, including teaching Visual Arts and later working at the Catholic Audio Visual Centre in Homebush from 1982 to 1989, where she oversaw the creation of educational videos, slides, and programs for Catholic schools.
From 1993 onward, Sister Heather served alongside other Sisters in Ministry at the Nagle Centre in Campbelltown. Her work as an Art Therapist was deeply valued, and her presence became an integral part of the Centre’s mission and spirit.
In recent years, Sister Heather lived at the Stella Maris aged care home in Cronulla. She faced significant health challenges, including difficulty speaking and tremors that prevented her from continuing her artwork. Despite these hardships, she continued to soldier on, meeting each day with resilience and making the best of her time there.
Sister Heather’s legacy is one of creativity, kindness, and steadfast dedication to social justice. We give thanks for her life, her ministry, and the many ways she enriched our community.
May Heather rest in peace.
“Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let
perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.”