Jane Frances Burger, a longtime resident of Westchester, CA, passed away suddenly on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at the age of 85. Her loving husband of 61 years, Paul F. Burger predeceased her by a few short months. It is believed she has reunited with him in the presence of the Lord.
Jane was born in Boston, MA on September 7, 1934. She was the first child and only daughter born to David C. Murphy and Claire G. Maroney. Her two brothers Reverend David C. Murphy and Reverend Francis X. Murphy preceded her in death, leaving her youngest brother Donald C. Murphy of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
Jane’s early education was at Mount Saint Joseph’s Academy in Brighton, MA. She loved playing field hockey and performing her duties as the class Vice President. An academic standout, it was no surprise she was the highest ranking senior and the class valedictorian. As a graduating senior she was awarded 10 college scholarships! She chose to attend Regis College in Greater Boston with a full academic scholarship including room and board. Four years later, Jane graduated with honors and a Bachelors of Arts in Romance Languages. The great adventure began when she headed west to UCLA to get her masters and teaching certification.
Her life was transformed when she caught the eye of Paul Fred Burger a native of Concord, MA. They met during an Irish dance at the Catholic Newman Club at UCLA where they both were attending graduate school. They married on April 12,1958, and they enjoyed over 61 years of marriage. It was a true love story and partnership that will live on.
Jane’s life was dedicated to faith, family and education. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and an active volunteer for many years at Visitation Church. While raising her five children she served on school boards, ran Girl Scout meetings and fund raised for many worthy causes. But being mother to her five children was Jane’s passion. It was through her dedication, hard work and love that her five children went on to attend Harvard, Stanford and UC Berkeley and become the adults they are today. Her greatest joy was attending and supporting her children’s and grandchildren’s educational, athletic and artistic pursuits. She was and will always be their biggest fan.
Continually up-to-date with current events at home and abroad, Jane was interested in everything going on in the world. Therefore it was no surprise she was a great conversationalist in a wide expanse of subjects and no one in the room had greater recall of facts! Jane never knew a stranger; she was outgoing and engaging with everyone she met. She genuinely cared about others and treated everyone with kindness. Her warmth and joy for life will be missed by many.
Jane is survived by her brother Donald C. Murphy of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA and her 5 children and their spouses, Mark Burger (wife Susan Bal), David Burger (wife Robin Bernheim), Laurie Simpson (husband Jim Simpson), Chris Burger (wife Michelle Le), and Carolyn Burger (husband Rik Geiersbach); thirteen grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer Haskell (husband Zi Shen Lim), Bonnie Menezo (husband Vincent Menezo), John Haskell (wife Marissa Plowden), Lindsay Haskell, Nicole Garton, Natalie Burger, Michael Burger, Katharine Burger, Jason Burger, Dylan Burger, Katrina Geiersbach, Annika Geiersbach, William Geiersbach, and numerous cousins and nieces and nephews on the Burger side of the family.
