Mary Ann Burke loved her Wildcats and leaves a great legacy with the way she lived her life

Mary Ann Burke with Allison Tamme and myself a few years ago when we did videos for WLEX-TV.

If there was a fan who loved University of Kentucky basketball more than Mary Ann Burke I have yet to meet them. She loved the coaches and players win or lose. She went to games for years and always kept up with the Wildcats. Every season she would call me several times to talk about “her Cats” and she often dreamed that coach John Calipari was going to bring the team to Danville to eat so she could join them.

Burke passed away Tuesday at age 98. She was truly one of the nicest, kindest people I have ever known and I cannot tell you how much I always enjoyed visiting with her.

She knew plenty about all sports. Her sons — Sam, Joe and Lewis — all played football and other sports at Danville.

Obviously, if you live in Danville you know plenty about Burke’s Bakery. Her husband’s parents started the bakery and cafeteria and then he took over operation of the Danville landmark. Her son, Joe, followed in his late father’s footsteps managing the bakery and now Joe’s son, Joedy, is in charge with assistance from his mother Patty.

Mary Ann was an intriguing lady. She was a Centre College graduate and retired elementary school teacher. She was a Sunday School teacher and sang in the choir at our church, First Christian, and rarely missed a Sunday unless she was traveling — and she has been to every continent and was known to travel to some special UK basketball games.

Before COVID, she attended most of UK’s home games and when I still had a media seat at floor level, I always looked forward to walking into the arena and seeing her waving at me. Most games I tried to make sure I went up to visit with her a few minutes and answer some of the questions she had about her Cats.

A few years ago when I was doing some work for WLEX-TV, I went to her home for a video interview talking about how she loved her Cats. I invited Allison Tamme, the wife of former UK football star Jacob Tamme, to come over for an interview at the same time. It was a delightful afternoon and Mary Ann often asked me about Allison because she thought she was so “charming” that day.

I’ve tried to think if I ever saw Mary Ann when she was not smiling and if I did, I can’t remember it. I also never heard her waver in her support of her Cats. She was true blue.

She leaves behind a lot of broken hearts not just among family members but for anyone who knew her. I know I seldom watch a UK basketball game without thinking about her at some point either when the Cats are looking great and knowing how happy she would be or when the Cats are struggling and knowing she would still believe they would win.

I’m sorry she never got to meet coach John Calipari, something she really wanted to do, because I know he would have liked her a lot.

Goodbye Mary Ann and thanks for all the kind words and memories you provided for so many.

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Visitation will be from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday at First Christian Church of Danville.  A Memorial Service will follow at noon with Rev. Colby Smith officiating.  A private burial will be at Danville Bellevue Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church of Danville Memorial Fund.  A Guestbook is available at www.wlpruitt.com.