The first date listed here reflects the beginning of Mary Burhite’s life, but the second date is not representative of the end. The little dash between the dates signifies the time she spent living on this earth. Those that were blessed to love her, will cherish each day that made up her dash.
Mary Beth Burhite, age 68, passed away on October 17, 2020; she was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1951. Mary graduated from Maine East High School and married her high school sweetheart, Scott Peterson, aka “Bonjo”. She gave birth to her first daughter Tiffany in 1975 and then Krista “Kissy” in 1979. She was a waitress for most of her life, though spent a decade at John’s Garage in Woodfield Mall where she met Rick Burhite in 1982. On October 10, 1987, they were married and in the subsequent years made many dreams come true together. Some of their dreams include; the purchase of their first home on Wander Way in Cary, IL, building their first custom home on Wright Road and the move to the farm in Bull Valley, IL which Mary called her “Little Taste of Heaven”.
Mary had an amazing love for her animals and was the mom to many dogs, cats, birds and of course her first horse, McQue. From Chicago, to South Florida, to Northern California, Mary spent her later years with her 2 Daughters and 6 Grandchildren in Florida and California. Her love and life lessons will live on with her girls and be prized forever.
Mary has reunited in Heaven with the “Other Half of her Heart”, the “Love of Her Life”, Rick Burhite and mother, Helen F. Quinlan. In addition, her Dixie, Sinbad, Sir Kahn, Filthy McNasty, Casper, Tiger, FeatherLight, Murphy, Hoss, Bugsy, McQue, Stringer, Wilber, Clancy, Luka, Buck, Finches and Frogs… who all welcomed her on arrival.
Mary Burhite is survived by her two daughters, Tiffany Padia and Krista Peterson, which made up the Three Musketeers; son-in-law, Kyle Padia; her grandchildren aka “6 Prizes”, Mason Peterson, Jackson Romanoski, Gavin Romanoski, Bayley Padia, Olivia Romanoski, and Austen Padia; her parrot, Jake; her “Daddy”, Donald Quinlan; brothers, Michael Quinlan, John Quinlan, and Donald Quinlan; sisters, Diane McClead, Linda Falco, Helen Sommerschield, Susan Johnson and Katie Stuckmann; Her “Bonjo” Scott Peterson and many brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends, animals and rocks.
You can find her by looking up in the stars, as she always said she would be “right next to the brightest star in the sky and looking down on us always.” Mary will be greatly missed, loved and remembered in the hearts of so many.
Please join us in celebrating her life by sharing stories, memories and posting photos on her memorial website at: www.forevermissed.com/Mary-Burhite and please remember...
“We never say Bye...We say see you later...”
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