Alberta L. Burch

Alberta “Bert” Burch was born on June 16, 1927 to Ethel Whelan Ritter and Carl Albert Ritter. She was raised in a loving household along with her sister, Gladys. Her half-sister, Edna, was considerably older and moved to New York when Bert was young. Bert graduated from Yeadon High School in 1945. To her surprise, she was elected as her school’s May Queen. This was an honor for her, especially since she was a very quiet and shy person. Bert married Leo Howard Burch (deceased) on May 4, 1946. Bert and Howard had three children, Lee (who was always called “Butch”), Susan, and Kyle. Bert and Howard also have four grandchildren, Michael, Shane, Lindsay, and Leigh, and three great-grandchildren, Kenzie, Gabriella, and Sofia. Bert is also survived by her loving daughter-in-law, Sandy. Bert worked for an accounting firm and a coal-shipping firm during summers when she was in high school and continued working after she graduated until she married. Bert devoted herself, full-time, to raising her kids. After all of her kids were grown and out of the house, Bert returned to work for twenty years for a firm that provided software systems for the medical industry. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were Bert’s world. She loved them dearly, and supported them in all of their endeavors. When a family member needed a home, she provided one; her mother, her aunt, her husband’s nephew, and her husband’s brother all lived with her and Howard at various times. Bert also had great love for the families of her sisters, and the families of Howard’s siblings. Bert was devastated when Howard’s nephews, Jimmy and Charlie, passed and when Gladys’ son, Richard, passed. She always wanted to make sure that her niece, Carol, and her nephews, Bob (and his wife, Jo Ann) and Glen, and their children and grandchildren were doing well. Bert was happiest when she was at the shore, especially Ocean City, New Jersey. She was even happier when we found an Ocean City vacation home to rent which allowed her to bring her dogs! Bert was an animal lover! A lot of animals over a lot of years! Sweet, kind, loving, and gracious, with a good sense of humor; she made all of those who knew her feel welcome and comfortable. Bert passed on May 16, 2025, exactly one month shy of her 98th birthday. She will truly be missed. Visitation: Saturday, 10:00 am at Kovacs Lombardo Funeral Home 530 W. Woodland Avenue Springfield. Funeral Service: Saturday, 11:00 am at Kovacs Lombardo Funeral Home. Condolences: Lombardofuneralhomes.com

Alberta L. Burch

June 16, 1927 - May 16, 2025