Call Number:

13

Repository:

Malvern Historical Commission

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1978-2001 (inclusive)

Creator:

Burke, M. Elizabeth, 1920-2011

Abstract:

M. Elizabeth "Betty" Burke (1920-2011) was a resident of Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania and a political and community activist. Betty was active with various Malvern community organizations, including the Malvern Public Library, the Malvern Historical Commission, the Paoli Memorial Association, and Girl Scouts. Betty served as Malvern Borough tax collector for thirty-four years (1966-2000) and was a Republican committee woman for thirty-eight years (1968-2006). The M. Elizabeth Burke papers, 1978-2001, consist of papers accumulated by M. Elizabeth Burke during her time as Malvern Borough Tax Collector, member of the Malvern Historical Commission, and her time in other roles in the Malvern community. The collection also includes some research on Malvern and Chester County history.

Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Burke (1920-2011) was a resident of Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania and a political and community activist.

Betty was born on January 2, 1920 in Gladwyne, PA. She grew up on her father's farm in Gladwyne and attended St. Luke's School of Nursing in Philadelphia. She was a registered nurse and taught at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia. She later returned to St. Luke's School of Nursing as a teacher, where she became director of nurses. She also went on to receive her Masters of Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1943, Betty married Samuel Burke, Jr. (1920-2010). When her husband became an administrator at the Malvern Institute in 1950, they moved to Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Betty became active with various community and political organizations in Malvern. She was involved with the Malvern Public Library, serving on the Library's Board for more than twenty-five years. She also served on the board of the Chester County Library System from 1965 to 2008 and served as board president for several terms. Betty was also active on the Malvern school board from 1960 to 1968, served as a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout leader, and served on the Malvern Historical Commission. She was the Malvern Borough Tax Collector for thirty-four years, 1966-2000, and was a Republican committee woman for thirty-eight years, 1968-2006.

In addition to her work with the community, Betty worked two nights each week as the night nurse in a local doctor's office for thirty years. She also ran a wedding photography business with her husband, Sam, for twenty years. When her husband retired in 1980, Betty encouraged him to run for Malvern Borough Council. He served on the council from 1980 to 2000, including two terms as president.

Betty passed away on March 5, 2011 in Malvern. The Samuel and M. Elizabeth Burke Park in Malvern honors Betty and Sam's dedication to the community.

Bibliography:

Downey, Sally A. "M. Elizabeth Burke, 91, a Malvern Activist." Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA), March 17, 2011.

This collection consists of papers accumulated by M. Elizabeth Burke during her time as Malvern Borough Tax Collector, member of the Malvern Historical Commission, and her time in other roles in the Malvern community. The collection also includes some research on Malvern and Chester County history. The papers are organized into files.

Materials from the Malvern Historical Commission include correspondence, meeting minutes, and materials related to the Commission's oral history project. There are photocopies and some originals of Chester County Architectural Inventory Forms for properties in Malvern. There are also some folders that include newspaper clippings relating to Malvern history, Chester County history, and Malvern schools.

Materials relating to Burke's role as Borough Tax Collector include correspondence and borough tax forms. There are also legal documents relating to Borough of Malvern court cases.

There is also a folder on elections that contains voter lists, blank campaign expense reports, voter districts and newspaper clippings, as well as a folder on local republicans containing resumes, newspaper clippings, and other materials, possibly from Burke's time as a Republican committee woman.

The collection also includes a small amount of ephemera from other organizations in which Burke was involved, such as the Paoli Memorial Association and Upper Main Line Association. Additionally, handwritten notes, newspaper clippings, and photocopies of newspaper clippings can be found in several of the files.