Claire Louise (Sharkey) Burkhart

Claire Louise (Sharkey) Burkhart, 88, passed away January 13, 2022.

She was born May 30, 1933 to Thomas and Claire (Decker) Sharkey and grew up in The Bronx, New York. She married Thomas Robert Burkhart on January 3, 1953, and they settled in Putnam Lake, New York where they raised 4 children.

Claire worked for the Town of Patterson, NY library, the Brewster Department of Education as a high school librarian and later at Settle Insurance Agency of Pawling, New York. Claire’s favorite activities outside of work included reading and crocheting. Claire volunteered as a girl scout leader for many years in New York. In 1983 Claire’s husband Thomas passed away and in 1998, Claire relocated to Newport, North Carolina. There she volunteered for many years at the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, Progressive Animal Welfare Society (“Paws”), and later the North Carolina Aquarium, specifically becoming an expert volunteer assistant working with loggerhead turtles and horseshoe crabs. In 2012, Claire earned the North Carolina governor’s award for outstanding volunteerism. Additionally, Claire was an upstanding Patriot and a staunch supporter of our military members.

Claire is survived by her children: Stephen, Mark and wife Joanne, Barbara and Christopher, and by her two grandchildren: Rebecca and Daniel. She is also survived by her sister Joan, and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great nephews.

A celebration of life will be held in April 2022. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for a donation in any amount be made to the North Carolina Aquarium where a permanent memorial plaque will be placed honoring her life and service to the loggerhead turtles and horseshoe crabs. Arrangements with the NC Aquarium are being made and admirers may watch Facebook for a link to be posted soon with details of how to specifically honor this incredible woman. Thank you for your love and support.

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC.