Birth date: Nov 28, 1938 Death date: May 14, 2022
Vesta “Lucy” Burke Ehrlich passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at her daughter’s home in Franlinton, LA. She was born in Little Rock, AR on November 28, 1938 to the late Albert G. Burke and Vesta Rosella Thompson Burke. Lucy wa Read Obituary
Lucy and her sister June used to help take care of my brother Michael and I when we were 5, 6 years old. Their mother, Vesta Burke, had one of the most unique businesses in The French Quarter -- the "Doll Hospital." She would repair dolls -- especially delicate ones with porcelain faces and hands, which were still popular in the mid-50s.At that time, they lived in Jefferson, in a wonderful home with a huge side yard. Our mother had died very young and our father, who was Phil D'Rey, the British-born ventriloquist and comedian, had friends who would take care of us at night while he worked at the 500- Club in the French Quarter. Sometimes we would spend nights at the Ursulines child-care facility, sometimes with the accountant lady who worked nights at Antoine's and another lady who worked at the Court of Two Sisters. But Vesta Burke was the warmest and most caring of all of them. And her then-teenage daughters Lucy and June were great fun. They knew how to handle kids even then. They would go to Canal Street theaters showing movies we weren't allowed to see ("House of Wax") and act them out for us. We would spend nights popping popcorn and watching "Dragnet" and old movies. My brother and I were allegedly "spoiled" and "difficult" but Lucy and June took it all in stride. Years later, my father and I had dinner with them and Vesta showed me how to make gravy without lumps .I think they went to St. Agnes High school on Jefferson Hwy and gave us advice on what to expect from the nuns who would soon be teaching us at Our Lady of Lourdes on Napoleon Ave. It's funny the things you remember about the people who pass through your life, but those two girls and their mother were memorable.
Lucy and John are together in heaven now. Lucy and I had many warm conversations through the years. We bonded over our affection for animals, especially cats. A contribution was made in her honor to the ASPCA.
My sincere condolences to Suzette, Cherie, and Charlotte. Much sympathy to all Lucy's loved ones. May she rest in well deserved peace.
'Think where man's glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such a friend',
Auntie M, - we will miss you, but we will see you again, Peace and Love.
Allan and Michele Harang
