Ilene Shirley Jenne Burke, 61, Potsdam

POTSDAM -- Ilene Shirley Jenne Burke passed away on July 9, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

There will be calling hours for Ilene on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur.

Her funeral service will be on Wednesday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will follow at Rossie Cemetery.

Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.

Ilene was born on November 23, 1962, in Watertown, NY at Samaritan Hospital to Clarence E. and Velda (Simons) Jenne and grew up in Rossie.

She is a former member of the Hammond Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir. She graduated from Hammond Central School in 1980 and then went on to receive her Associates Degree from Jefferson Community College. On July 28, 1994, Ilene married David Burke in LasVegas, NV.

Ilene entered the workforce starting at Compass in Ogdensburg before traveling abroad and serving the US Government as a contract employee. Later, she began working at Renewal House in Canton, an agency assisting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault that she was very proud of and passionate about, for almost 30 years as the Executive Director.

Ilene loved her work, devoted herself to helping others and was a light in her community for those in need.

In her free time, Ilene enjoyed being with her family, photography, playing pool, watching the Hallmark channel, and watching basketball. Her love for basketball started at Hammond Central School when she played for the very first women’s basketball team. She continued her love for the sport by watching and supporting her relatives as they played and watching college ball.

Ilene is survived by her husband of 30 years, David; her mother, Velda of Rossie; daughters, Megan Burke of Potsdam, Kaitlin (Burke) and Ian Spurr of Mississippi and step daughter Casandra and Claudio Quintana of Germany; a brother, David Jenne and Beth Gridley of Macomb; two granddaughters, Aurelia and Luana, and another granddaughter on the way; her nephew, David James Jenne (Amelia) of Montana and niece, Malynda Jenne (Dan) of Florida; aunts and uncles and several cousins.

Ilene is predeceased by her father Clarence “Clay” Jenne (1938-2023).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ilene’s memory to Renewal House, 3 Chapel Street, Canton, NY 13617.