[Important Information for Employees] The Death of Joan Burke, Wife of Late President Joseph Burke

[Gerianne Downs]

Dear Members of the Campus Community,
We have recently learned of the Dec. 27, 2025, death of Mrs. Joan Burke, wife of the late SUNY Plattsburgh president, Dr. Joseph Burke, at her home in Albany. She was 92.
Mrs. Burke arrived in Plattsburgh in 1973 when her husband served the university first as its vice president for academic affairs and then as its seventh president beginning in 1974. He served in that capacity until 1986, at which time they left Plattsburgh for Albany when he was appointed SUNY provost. He died Aug. 3, 2018.
Originally from Louisville, Ky., Mrs. Burke earned her undergraduate degree from Catherine Spaulding College in Louisville. After starting a family, she earned her master's of social work degree in 1967 from the University of Pittsburgh.
The family moved to Montreal in 1970 when Dr. Burke was named provost of Loyola College there. At that time, Mrs. Burke started a family counseling practice at McGill University.
When they arrived in the North Country three years later, Mrs. Burke built her family counseling practice here. Together, the couple began their association with the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy when Dr. Burke was asked in 1975 to join the board there. That led to a lifelong association for both. Mrs. Burke's love of art and antiques led to her connection with The Alice T. Miner Museum, serving as board chair for many years. She also served on the Clinton County Community Service Board, the county ARC, and the Northern New York Center, among other community service work.
In 1995, the Burke Gallery in Myers Fine Arts Building on campus was dedicated in their honor, and in 2015, they received the university's Distinguished Service Award at the May 2015 commencement.
The couple split their time between their home in Albany and a grand home on the Miner Institute property in Chazy until Dr. Burke's death.
Among her survivors are the couple's daughters, Maura and Colleen.
Donations in Mrs. Burke’s memory can be made to The Alice T. Miner Museum. 9618 US-9 Chazy, NY 12921.
Our condolences to all who knew and loved her.
Gerianne

Gerianne Downs
(She/her/hers)
Associate Director of Communications
Office of the President
151 Hawkins Hall
101 Broad St.
Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901
(o) 518-564-3094
Vice President for Professionals
Plattsburgh Chapter
United University Professions
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