January 10, 1946 - October 24, 2025
Sharon Annette Burke. Age 79 of Woodhaven.
Beloved wife of Bruce Burke. Loving mother of Shelley Burke (Todd Zalud) and Renee Burke (Brady Tinkham). Dearest grandmother of Natalie Zalud, Adrian Zalud, Avery Tinkham, and Oliver Tinkham. Dear sister of David (the late Barbara) Reneau and Frances (the late Thomas) Engel. Cherished aunt of Paul (Jennifer) Engel, Christopher (Judi) Engel, Deborah (Ken) Carr, and Michael (Teresa) Moore. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Team Gleason.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Sharon's honor to Team Gleason Foundation.
Family tribute ~
Sharon Annette Burke passed away on October 24, 2025, at her home.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, to John and Eleanora Reneau, she was raised in a close-knit family with her brother, David, and sister, Frances. From a young age, she embodied the qualities that would define her life — drive, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to those she cared for.
After graduating from high school, she attended the Henry Ford School of Nursing, earning her nursing degree in 1966. What began as a calling to help others grew into a distinguished 49-year career with the Henry Ford Health System. She started as a registered nurse and, through hard work and dedication, advanced into administration. In her 40s, she returned to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration, continuing on as a group practice administrator until her retirement in 2015.
She married her husband, Bruce Burke in 1967, and together they built a loving family. She was the proud mother of her two daughters, Shelley Burke and Renee Burke, both of whom carried on her passion for medicine by becoming physicians — a hospital-based internist and a plastic surgeon. One of her greatest joys in later years was being “Grandma” to Natalie and Adrian Zalud and Avery and Oliver Tinkham, who brought her endless pride and happiness.
She loved to travel — especially to Florida, California, and her favorite destination, northern Michigan — and she was an avid walker who cherished time spent outdoors. She will be remembered for her enormous generosity, her strength, and the way she made everyone she met feel welcome and part of the family.
Her love, kindness, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.