Margaret Shuk Burbank

Margaret Shuk Burbank, 98, of Beaumont, TX, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 16, 2023. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Thomas H. Burbank.

Margaret was born in Bridgeport, CT on August 31, 1924 to John J. and Ursula Clabby Shuk.  She attended St. Augustine grammar school and graduated from Lauralton Hall in Milford, CT and Trinity College in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, she married her husband Bud in June of 1947. Margaret raised her family in Bridgeport and volunteered her time at her children’s schools, at St. Augustine and St. Peter churches, and in local politics. Margaret and her family moved to Beaumont, TX in 1979, where she continued her volunteer work at St. Anne church and in the community.

Margaret enjoyed life to the fullest with many interests and hobbies. She loved her faith and was a cantor, Eucharistic minister, and RCIA sponsor at church. She gave tours as a former docent at the McFaddin-Ward House Museum, and was a former member of the Beaumont Symphony League and the Beaumont Country Club where she enjoyed playing golf. She traveled extensively in Europe and throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. 

Margaret loved playing cards, especially playing bridge with her friends, and hearts and poker with her family. She enjoyed gardening and had beautiful rose gardens in Bridgeport and Beaumont and a thriving collection of African violets. She loved playing the piano and attending symphony concerts, theater, and even the occasional rock concert with her children and grandchildren.  She always had a needlework project in progress – embroidery, crewel, cross stitching and knitting. She also loved the challenge of a good crossword puzzle and a good book.

With all of her accomplishments and activities, her greatest joy and priority was her family. We could always count on her to share new recipes, a good glass of wine or a Margarita, and many laughs with us. We will miss her terribly and she will always be held in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Margaret is survived by her children, Margaret Donilon and her husband Michael of Raleigh, NC, Ellen McKenna and her husband John of Madison, CT, Thomas Burbank and his wife Kim of Beaumont, TX, and Christine Burbank of Beaumont, TX; beloved grandchildren, Michael Donilon and his wife Leslee, Gregory Donilon and his wife Kelly, Kara McKenna and her husband John Fries, Katherine McKenna, John McKenna, Paige Kippes and her husband Frederick, Thomas Burbank, William Burbank and Annalise Burbank; and five beloved great grandchildren, Abigail Donilon, Andrew Donilon, Maeve Donilon,  Eli Sachs, and Kathryn Kippes; her brother John Shuk of La Mesa, CA and many loved nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her brother Raymond Shuk and sister Madelyn Shuk Foley.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00a.m., meeting directly in St. Augustine Cathedral, 399 Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call Friday from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m., in the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and 4 Gorham Place, Trumbull. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com